One question families in north Texas routinely ask us to address is what the difference is between home care and home health care. There are, in fact, distinct differences. While both can be delivered in the privacy of an older adult’s Dallas or Fort Worth home, the type of care provided is quite different.
Home Health Care in North Texas
Home health care is designed to bring skilled care and services in to the home. It might be medical care that is provided by a registered nurse or the therapeutic support of a physical therapist, speech therapist or occupational therapist. It most often follows a stay in the hospital for an injury, surgery or illness. Home health care allows the senior to continue to recuperate in their own home.
Home health care services can also include:
- Medication administration including infusion therapy
- Wound care services and wound monitoring
- Medication education and management following a newly diagnosed health condition or change in a chronic illness
- Monitoring of a chronic health condition
Home health care professionals, including aides, come in to the home on a short-term basis to provide care. They may visit a few times a week or as often as once a day.
Medicare and private insurance will typically pay for skilled home health care services on a short-term basis.
Home Care in Dallas and Fort Worth
By contrast, home care is a non-medical service. It is designed to help older adults with what are referred to as the activities of daily living (ADL). These are the tasks we all need to complete each day to remain independent.
In-home care services might include:
- Personal care assistance for tasks such as bathing, grooming or dressing
- Transportation services for appointments and errands
- Companion care for letter writing, reading, playing cards and more
- Menu planning, grocery shopping and meal preparation
- Light housekeeping chores and laundry
- Medication reminders
Some older adults and their children find utilizing the services of a private duty home care agency can help them safely delay a move to a senior living community.
Most families pay for home care services using private funds or long-term care insurance.
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