Two terms that sound alike and mean very different things, and why the difference matters for your family.
Written by Daniel Poch, Founder and CEO, AlestaCare
If you’ve been researching support for a loved one here in the Charleston area, you’ve probably run into both “home care” and “home health care” used almost interchangeably. When I first got into this business, I was at times confused until I realized they are not the same thing. Knowing the difference can save you time, confusion, and in some cases, money.
Home Health Care Is Medical
Home health care is skilled, clinical care delivered in the home. Think nursing visits, physical or occupational therapy, or wound care. It is ordered by a physician, tied to a specific medical condition or recovery period, delivered by licensed clinicians, and typically time-limited. Because it is medical in nature, it is often covered, at least in part, by Medicare or other medical insurance.
Home Care Is Non-Medical
Home care, which is what AlestaCare provides, is different. It covers the day-to-day support that helps someone live safely and comfortably at home: personal care like bathing and dressing, companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, and light housekeeping. It is not ordered by a doctor, it’s not time-limited to a recovery period, and it is not clinical. It’s also, importantly, not typically covered by Medicare. It typically is covered by Long Term Care insurance if you have that type of policy.
Why the Difference Matters
Some families need one or the other. Many families eventually need both, especially after a hospital stay. A home health nurse may handle a wound check or physical therapy for a few weeks, while a non-medical caregiver from AlestaCare handles the daily support that keeps a household running in between those visits. The two are not competitors. In fact, we work well together with many home health companies and regularly coordinate with them, physicians, and discharge planners to make sure a client’s full picture of care is covered.
Not Sure Which Your Family Needs?
That’s exactly what a free consultation is for. We will help you understand what kind of support your loved one actually needs, whether it falls under our services in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester Counties, and if it doesn’t, we’ll help point you toward what will.
Ready to talk through what you’re seeing? Call AlestaCare at (843) 800-2332 or schedule a free consultation at alestacare.com. We’re here when you’re ready.
Are you a care professional or community connector? If you work with seniors or families in the Charleston area, we’d welcome the opportunity to introduce ourselves. AlestaCare accepts referrals from physicians, discharge planners, social workers, senior living communities, and community organizations, among others. Call us or contact us to start a relationship.