People often think home health and in-home care are the same thing. Many agencies use the terms interchangeably, depending on the state you live in. The terms sound similar and both types of care are delivered in the home. However, there are important differences between home care and home health care. Knowing the differences between companion care vs. home health care can help you decide which type of care is right for your needs and budget.
Companion Care vs. Home Health Care
When a senior begins to need extra help with personal care or assistance around the home, loved ones often start to search for home care services. They want to find care solutions that will allow their elder to remain in their own home.
A question that often arises early in the search process is what the differences are between home health care and companion care. These similar types of care are so easily confused even healthcare professionals mistakenly use the two terms interchangeably.
Let’s explore these types of home care and then dig deeper into the benefits of each.
Does a Senior Need Home Health Care or In-Home Care?
Older adults hoping to find care at home should understand their options:
In-Home Care/Companion Care
This in-home care service supports the basic needs of those with a disability or seniors who live independently and wish to remain that way. Levels of care can vary based on a senior’s specific needs, while the frequency may range from daily to weekly visits. It is also referred to as home care or private duty care. In-home care is non-medical, so companion caregivers can’t provide the types of services a nurse or therapist would.
Home Health Care
By contrast, this type of home care service is used when someone needs skilled health care. It is often used after a senior is released from the hospital following an illness, accident, or surgery. Skilled professionals bring nursing care and therapy services into a patient’s home. Home health care is prescribed by a doctor as part of a patient’s care plan. Services are provided in a patient’s home by licensed medical professionals.
For some seniors, a combination of these services may be the ideal solution.
What Does Home Health Care Include?
Home health care agencies are staffed by nurses and therapists. These skilled health care professionals provide assistance in the privacy of the patient’s home. A few examples of the support an older adult might receive are:
- Injections or IV therapy
- Diabetes care or training
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Ostomy care and education
- Medication management
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
Reimbursement to home health care agencies is generally covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, and private insurance companies.
In order for Medicare to cover home health services, the patient must meet three criteria:
- A physician must create and help supervise the patient’s plan of care.
- The senior’s doctor needs to certify that the patient is homebound, which means leaving home requires considerable effort.
- There must be a physician order that requires intermittent skilled nursing care or speech, physical, or occupational therapy services.
Frequency
Home Health Care visits are typically a few hours per week, depending on the patient’s needs and doctor’s orders, however, in-home care can help patients 24/7, depending on the patient’s budget and needs.
What Does In-Home/Companion Care Include?
When a senior loved one is trying to remain independent and at home, finding support with activities of daily living is a must for their safety and well-being. A home care agency that offers in-home/companion care is likely a good choice to consider.
Caregivers can assist with tasks that support independence, including:
- Personal care tasks, such as bathing and dressing
- Escorting to appointments and other errands
- Linen changes and laundry
- Light housekeeping, like dusting and vacuuming
- Meal preparation and planning
In some states, caregivers may be allowed to provide medication reminders or assistance.
As far as payment, the majority of companion care services are paid for with the senior’s or an adult child’s private funds. Some long-term care policies might have a provision for in-home care, so check if your senior has one. Also, the VA has a program designed to assist veterans in the home. To help low-income seniors and people with disabilities pay for companion care, most cities, counties, and states have funding programs available.
What Are the Benefits of In-Home Care vs. Living in a Facility?
- Individuals benefit from one-on-one care that can be tailored to meet their unique preferences and needs as opposed to a congregate care setting where patient-staff ratios are much higher
- The senior gets to remain in the comfort of their own home or the home of a close relative as they get older
- The senior, along with their family and friends, can choose the home health aide who will be providing care
- Instead of receiving care from many different caregivers, the individual can get comfortable with one caregiver
- Depending on when the care is needed and the skill level of the care required, in-home care can cheaper
- Different types of care can be combined to lower overall costs
What are the signs someone needs In-Home Care?
There are certain signs to look for to determine if in-home care is needed. Listed below are some of the indicators that lead family and friends to recommend in-home care for loved ones:
- Clutter, piles of paper, and mail
- Unpaid bills or late payments
- Unkempt lawn or home
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator
- Burned pans on the stove
- Soiled clothing or body odor
- Acting confused, forgetful
- Repeating themselves
- Losing weight, feeling tired
- Loss of interest in friends, hobbies
- Bruises
- Forgetfulness
- Getting lost on routine errands
- Forgetting to eat
- Losing their balance
- History of falls
Promedcare
Being a family-owned business, the owners of Promedcare are engaged in the day-to-day operations and get to know both clients and caregivers on a first-name basis. Having both owners and staff present vs. working remotely with our clients creates a feel of FAMILY and allows Promedcare to create an environment of care that reduces turnover and increases dedication to the brand. We provide 24/7 service with the ability to interact with Senior Management and the owners as needed.
Promedcare has evolved into a caring business that focuses on individuals’ specific needs and preferences. This type of care fosters independence, happiness, and a sense of familiarity by acknowledging older individuals’ desire to age in the comfort of their own homes.
For some, it’s to provide extensive ongoing care for an aging senior. For others, we offer a much-needed break or, respite care – such as a night out with a spouse, vacation, or simply a few hours of quiet time at home – for family members who provide regular care. We offer a wide range of care services customized for each individual client.
Promedcare services include Personal Care Services, Companion Care Services, Dementia / Alzheimer’s Care Services, and Respiratory Solutions.
Contact us today to see how Prodmedcare can help you!