Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in the patient's home for an illness or injury. It is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care received in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). Home health care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, and it requires a doctor's order. The services provided by home health care professionals may include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, patient and caregiver education, help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing from a home health aide, injections, and intravenous or nutrition therapy.
Home health care differs from other types of care, such as home care (also known as personal care, companion care, custodial care, or homemaker services), which is non-medical assistance with daily activities like bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, house cleaning, transportation, and companionship. Home care services are typically paid for out of pocket, by Medicaid, or through long-term insurance, and do not require a physician’s order.
Another type of care is in-home care, which is similar to home care and includes assistance with daily activities to allow people to stay safe at home. It is often used by older adults with chronic illness, those with disabilities, and people recovering from surgery. In-home care services can also include therapy and rehabilitative services, medical social work, and short- or long-term nursing care for an illness, disease, or disability.
Home health care is distinct from these other types of care in that it provides "clinical" or "skilled" care by licensed nurses and therapists, whereas home care and in-home care provide "non-clinical" or "non-skilled" care by professional caregivers. Home health care is typically short-term and intermittent, focusing on recovery and teaching patients how to manage their health independently, while home care can be long-term and continuous, focusing on assistance with daily living activities.