When the goal is to remain in your home and age in place, you have many options with home health care agencies.  In this article, we have broken down the difference between the two types of home health care services (medical and non-medical) so you have a clear understanding of your options. When it comes time to finding the right fit for your family, Bratton Estate & Elder Care Attorneys can assist you in evaluating your needs and make recommendations within your community!

There are two types of home care services, Medical Home Health Care and Non-Medical Home Care.  The main difference between the two is the level of medically skilled care provided by the agency and their staff.

Medical Home Health Care, prescribed by a physician, is normally referred to assistance and services provided by caregivers who are medical personnel; nurses, doctors, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and home health aides. Medical Home health services assist seniors who are recovering after a hospital stay, illness, or need additional support to be able to remain in their home safely. Example services include post-op rehab, administering medication, wound care, pain management, and diabetic training just to name a few. These types of services are limited to the number of visits and hours allowed by Medicare under your home health benefit or private medical insurance.

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Non- medical Home Care, or commonly called companion care, are services provided by caregivers who are performing non-medical care services. These services range from assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, toileting, and transferring. They can also assist with Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) such as preparing meals, banking, medication reminders, grocery shopping, light housework, pet care, errands, and companionship. All of these tasks help the client to age in place and continue to live in their home safely and independently. These services can be contracted hourly, daily, overnight, or sporadic as needed and are normally paid through out-of-pocket private pay or if you have Long Term Care Insurance it may cover some of the cost.

Choosing home health care for yourself or a loved one can be a difficult decision and sometimes overwhelming. The elder care coordinators at Bratton Estate & Elder Care Attorneys are here to help navigate when it comes time to choosing a home care agency for you and your family. Through our knowledgeable team and many partnerships in the South Jersey region, we will be happy to assist with recommendations and research.

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