Do You Understand Senior Home Care?

I had lunch this week with someone who did not understand the role senior home care played in providing care for seniors, and this person was in the medical field! I realized, yet again, how confused most of the world is when it comes to the care provided by a senior home care company. What is home care? What is it not? In this blog post, I hope to cast some clarity on the role home care plays in the senior health care field.

What is Home Care?

Home care is non-medical care provided in a senior’s home or permanent residence. Typically, this is long-term care that is paid privately or through sources such as long-term care policies or the Veteran’s Aid benefit. Services include meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, medication reminders, dress and hygiene reminders or assistance and more. Services vary slightly from location to location and are regulated by the state. You will want to ask the home care companies in your area to describe the extent of the services they provide. Some companies can only provide companion and homemaker care, while others can provide skilled care. When it comes to home care, you are free to make the decisions about your needs. From 1-24 hours of care, our home care companies provide the care you need, when and where you want it.

What is Home Care Not?

Medicare does not pay for home care. Many people confuse home care with home health care, which is something entirely different. Home health care provides a wide range of skilled health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. This care is acute care provided by professionals, such as RNs and physical therapists, for a limited amount of time. Doctor’s orders are needed to start home health care.  Often, home care and home health care will be provided in the home at the same time. Home health care comes in for intermittent services such as a bath visit or therapy and home care provides the long-term care and ongoing support needed.

To learn more about Preferred Care at Home and the care we provide, contact a location near you.