Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options

Home Care professionals and caregivers can provide you or your loved one with support while staying in your home. Seniors can opt for home care as a private-pay care option if seeking help with activities like cleaning, laundry, bathing, errands, meal preparation, and other household chores.

Whether it’s a few hours a day or 24 hours of care, 7 days a week, private-pay in-home care is a good way to stay in your home as you age. However, Home Care is not considered skilled care, so when seniors cannot medically or physically support themselves, it may be time to consider an Assisted Living Community, Memory Care Community, or a Nursing Home. This article will further discuss the differences between Home Care and other care types like Home Health, hospice, rehab, Skilled Nursing, and more.

Home Care vs. Home Health 

Home Care and Home Health are both types of care that can assist you or your loved one with aging safely and comfortably at home. However, services are different with each type of care.

Home Care offers non-clinical help from caregivers, including assistance with bathing, dressing, transfers, safety monitoring, meal preparation, errands, medication reminders, and light housekeeping. Home Health Care, sometimes referred to as “Home Health,” provides professional medical assistance. If you or your loved one needs help with medication administration, wound care, feeding tubes, injections, and more, you’ll need care from a Home Care nurse. Additionally, Home Health is typically covered by Medicare Part B for a short period and is considered skilled care because it is provided by a nurse, therapist, or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Typically, the parameters provide care for less than 8 hours a day for up to 21 days with most cases being under 7 days.

Home Care vs. Hospice  

Home Care and hospice are vastly different services, but some may confuse the two as both often deal with illness.

Parts of Home Care can be designed for seniors who are healing from an illness or injury. It aims to help them recover and regain the self-sufficient lifestyle that they had before. On the other hand, hospice is a type of care for people with chronic or life-limiting illnesses and focuses on keeping them comfortable, relieving any pain and stress. To qualify for hospice, a person will be in a medical decline. This may include late-stage Alzheimer’s and those who are terminally ill with a projected life expectancy of six months or less.

Home Care vs. Rehab 

After surgery or an extended hospital stay, you or your loved one may need help with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, making meals and more. If that is the case, you can choose between Home Care or a short-term rehab stay.

Home Care is best if you prefer being in your own home while recovering. Rehab is a short-term stay in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or rehabilitation center. Here, seniors can receive post-operative care, including physical, speech, and occupational therapy. A typical qualifying stay is three days in the hospital as an in-patient (not under observation). Rehab is paid for through Medicare and can last for up to 100 days, with the first 20 days covered at 100%, while days 21-100 are covered at 80%. Based on your health situation and your doctor’s recommendations, choose either Home Care or rehab for professional support that ensures quality care.

Is Home Care Part of Assisted Living?

When deciding between Home Care and Assisted Living, you or your loved one will need to consider various factors such as your current support system, finances, and care level needs, especially if more care is needed over time. It is essential to understand that Home Care is not a part of Assisted Living. At Assisted Living Communities, residents enjoy apartment-style living with all-inclusive meals, ongoing medical care, a nursing staff, and special amenities and activities. Home Care provides a range of different services, from opportunities for lasting friendships to professional support and personal care.

Is Home Care Part of Memory Care?

In-home care (through Home Health) and Memory Care Communities are senior care options for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but they vary in cost, services and therapies provided, as well as other factors. It is vital to determine if in-home care or a Memory Care Community is more appropriate for your loved one.

Home Health professionals can provide necessary one-on-one care, and memory-boosting activities that allow seniors to remain at home. Memory Care Communities offer unique features tailored to seniors with cognitive impairment, including full-time staff, safety, and Memory Care tailored buildings, a high staff-to-resident ratio, and more.

Secured vs. Unsecured Memory Care 

Secured Memory Care is for residents who have late-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia, especially for those who might be at risk of wandering or trying to leave the building. This type of location provides extra security to ensure no one is injured or becomes lost. Unsecured Memory Care is for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia who are at low risk for wandering. It still includes general safety measures but is not as highly secure.

Is Home Care Part of Skilled Nursing?

Home Care is not a part of Skilled Nursing, although skilled nursing professionals can provide Home Health services. A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is a place for residents who need either long-term care or short-term rehabilitation care.

Is Home Care Part of Independent Living?

Those who choose to continue to live at home, but need physical support can utilize Home Care as a short-term solution. This is different from Independent Living, where seniors enjoy apartment-style living in a community. Here, friendships are made and residents have opportunities for fine dining, housekeeping, and activities with like-minded seniors. Home Care is an option for seniors who are still independent, but need some assistance with daily activities to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. However, as needs progress, a community-based environment such as Assisted Living, may become a better long-term solution.

Find a Care Facility That Fits Your Needs in Your Area 

At Referah, we understand the challenges that come with determining the right path for you or a senior loved one. We hope that our library of reference materials helps you better understand what level of care is required and how we can be of assistance in your search.

Whether you’re interested in Home Care or exploring a range of community-based options, our professional senior living staff will be more than happy to help you or your loved one select the right care plan. Talk to one of our experts about finding professional care, and start exploring senior living communities today.