Home Care vs. Home Health Care: What’s the Difference?

Many patients do not know the difference between Home Care and Home Health Care, so the two terms are often used interchangeably. However, each provides a different type of service and has its own special needs and importance.

Difference Between Home Care and Home Health: Key Distinctions Explained

The most important fundamental differences between home care and home health are:

• Service Details

Home medical care focuses on therapeutic interventions, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and performing medical procedures under the supervision of specialists. Home healthcare, on the other hand, focuses on non-medical daily assistance such as hygiene, meals, and patient companionship.

• Service Providers

In-home medical care services are provided by licensed nurses and specialists with certified medical skills, while in-home healthcare assistance is provided by caregivers trained only to handle the daily needs of patients.

• The purpose of the service

The primary goal of home medical care services is to treat the condition, improve health stability, and follow up on treatment plans. Home healthcare services, on the other hand, focus on improving the patient’s quality of daily life and supporting their essential activities at home.

• Who needs it?

Home medical care is suitable for those with chronic illnesses, post-operative recovery, and wound or catheter changes, while home healthcare is suitable for the elderly or patients who need daily support without requiring medical procedures.

• Duration and Frequency of Visits

Home healthcare visits are often short and limited to a treatment program determined by the doctor. However, home healthcare may extend for several hours a day or even full-time, depending on the patient’s need for ongoing assistance with daily activities.

So the difference between home care and home health, in short, is: home care or non-medical needs, and home health for medical needs

 

Also Read: Types of Medical Services

 

What Is Home Health Care? Definitions and Real Examples

In explaining the difference between home care and home health, home health care is medical services provided at home by professionals, such as on-call doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and health aides, under medical supervision. It is useful for cases that require short-term medical treatment or rehabilitation after surgery or injury at home.

Examples of Home Health Care

• Monitoring vital signs
• Changing dressings and caring for wounds
• Administering injections or intravenous medications
• Providing rehabilitation through home-based physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions for patients of all ages.
• Monitoring chronic conditions under medical supervision
• Monitoring home medical devices such as pacemakers and other devices.

What Is Home Care? A Complete Overview of Services

Home care, on the other hand, is a non-medical service aimed at supporting the independence and quality of life of patients within the home, provided by trained caregivers, and is suitable for the elderly or patients who need daily assistance.

Common Homecare examples

• Assistance with mobility, bathing, dressing, and personal care
• Reminding patients of medication schedules
• Preparing meals and assisting with eating, along with light cleaning and laundry.
• Accompanying the patient and participating in social activities
• Performing errands and simple daily tasks on behalf of the patient.

 

Also Read: Skin Tears in the Elderly

 

Home Care vs Home Health: Service Types and Levels of Support

The key points when comparing personal care vs medical care are as follows:

Home Health (Medical Service)

• Requires a medical prescription.
• Short-term and targeted for a specific therapeutic purpose.
• Includes nursing and therapeutic interventions.
• Provided by licensed medical staff.

Non-medical home care

• No medical prescription required.
• It can continue for extended periods, especially for the elderly or bedridden patients.
• Focuses on daily activities and social support.
• Provided by trained caregivers, not doctors or nurses.

When to Choose Home Health Care Instead of Home Care

Home health care must be chosen in the following cases:

• The patient requires specialized medical treatment.
• Post-surgery follow-up is needed 
• Wounds or ulcers that require professional dressing.
• Physical or occupational therapy is needed.
• The doctor requests home intervention as part of the treatment plan.
• The patient needs a medical procedure such as a blood test, intravenous medication,
• monitoring of vital signs, and the function of home medical devices, etc.

 

Also Read: Difference Between Hospice and Nursing Home

 

When Home Care Services Are the Better Option

If the goal of the service is to improve quality of life rather than provide medical treatment, for example, offering daily assistance with hygiene, dressing, or mobility, or if the individual is experiencing social isolation and desires companionship and psychological support, and does not require any specialized medical care, then home care services are the better option.

How to Select the Right Type of Care for Your Loved One

After understanding the main difference between home care and home health, to ensure choosing the most appropriate service, the following points must be considered:

• Accurately assess the patient’s health to determine whether they require medical or non-medical care.
• Assess the level of daily dependency.
• Determine the required duration of care, whether short-term or long-term periods.
• If you are unsure, consult a doctor to determine whether your patient needs medical or non-medical care.
• Choose a licensed and reputable home healthcare provider.
• If your patient needs a doctor at home in Dubai or emergency medical service, make sure that the center provides this service by specialists.
• Compare prices, read reviews, and opinions from previous customers about the medical center.

 

Also Read: Doctor on Call vs. Clinic Visits

 

Home Care & Home Health Services in Dubai – Provided by Lana Life Care

Lana Life Care is the largest provider of Home Health Care in Dubai, offering comprehensive home healthcare services. Our licensed and specialized medical team provides safe and reliable support in the comfort of your home.

Whether you need home nursing in Dubai, lab tests at home, a doctor on call, or others, you will find that we provide all these services through a team of doctors and nurses licensed by the Dubai Health Authority and care providers trained to provide the utmost comfort possible for patients.

Furthermore, you can access our services anytime, 24/7, from the comfort of your home at excellent, fair prices.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of home-based care?

The primary goal of home care is to support the patient by assisting with personal hygiene, mobility, eating, medication reminders, and so on.

What is the most common diagnosis for home health care?

The most common diagnoses in home healthcare include chronic diseases, post-operative care, wound follow-up, and physical therapy for immobile patients.

Sources

AgingCare

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