What Is Home Health Care? Compare Your Home Care Options Nationwide

Understanding the Difference Between Home Health, Non-Medical Home Care, and Hospice

When a loved one begins to need extra support at home, the choices can feel overwhelming. You may have heard terms like home health care, non-medical home care, or hospice, but what do they really mean—and how do you know which one is right for your situation?

We’re here to help break down what home health care is and how it differs from other types of in-home services.

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care refers to skilled medical services provided in a patient’s home, under the direction of a physician. These services are typically ordered by a doctor after a hospital stay, surgery, illness, or for chronic condition management.

Common Home Health Services Include:

• Skilled nursing (e.g., wound care, medication management, injections)
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology
• Medical social work
• Health monitoring and chronic disease management

Key Point: Home health care is clinical, short-term, and often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance when medically necessary.

 

What Is Non-Medical Home Care?

Non-medical home care (also called personal care services, companion care, or private duty care) refers to assistance with daily activities that are not medical in nature.

Common Non-Medical Services Include:

• Help with bathing, dressing, grooming
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Meal preparation
• Companionship and supervision
• Transportation to appointments

This type of care is ideal for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need support to remain safe and independent at home—but who do not need skilled medical care.

Important: Non-medical home care is not typically covered by Medicare, but may be covered by long-term care insurance or paid privately.

 

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is specialized care for individuals who are facing a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by a physician. The focus is on comfort, dignity, and quality of life—not curing the illness.

Hospice Services Can Include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Grief counseling for families
• Home visits by nurses, aides, chaplains, and social workers

Hospice can be provided at home, in a facility, or in a hospital, depending on the patient’s needs.

Key Difference: Hospice is for those who have chosen to stop curative treatment and focus on palliative (comfort) care.

 

How to Choose the Right Type of Care

If you’re not sure what your loved one needs, start by asking, do they need medical care, or just help with daily living? If it is mostly Activities of Daily Living (ADL), then non-medical home care may be right for you. 

A good first step to obtain home care is to contact a trusted home health agency, like CareChoice, who can guide you through the process. 

 

We’re Here to Help

At CareChoice, we provide compassionate home health care tailored to your loved one’s needs. We work closely with caretakers and families to ensure safe, effective care right at home.

Have questions? Contact us today for a free consultation by filling out our online form or give us a call at 800-795-7770.

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