Care Givers in Home Care vs. Home Health Care

As our parent's age, their health will require more attention and care than it used to. Before you get caught off-guard by a health emergency, inform yourself of the available resources that can provide support, reduce stress, and aid the healing process.

First, it’s important to distinguish the difference between medical home health and non-medical home care. The first typically goes by the term "home health" while the second can be referred to as personal care or private duty care.

Home health care

Home health involves medical support that includes nursing, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, aides, and social work. A doctor’s order is required for home health, which is covered by insurance.

Certain criteria must be met for home health care to begin. In most cases, the person must be homebound, meaning that leaving the home takes a good deal of effort. If the person is still able to drive, they probably will not qualify for home health. Additionally, there must be a skilled need, such as to manage medications, check blood sugar, or to provided wound care. There are special cases (with some neurological conditions) when a person can qualify for unlimited home health, but usually, home health care in Texas lasts for a 60-day period with skilled services limited to two to three times a week per discipline.

People who may require home health include those who need help recovering from recent hospitalization, injury, illness, or need help managing a chronic medical condition. In addition to insurance, home health may also be covered by veteran benefits or Medicaid. In other cases, it will require private pay.

Home care

To meet non-medical needs, a caregiver can be present to provide home care for an individual. "Home care" caregivers provide a variety of non-medical services, such as:

• Companionship and socialization: keeps individuals from suffering from loneliness; can be especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from dementia
• Nutrition, hydration, and breathing: can include grocery shopping and meal prep; some individuals may need assistance with deep breathing to prevent pneumonia
• Dressing, bathing, transferring
• Movement (physical therapy and staying active)
• Recovery (when home health care is not enough)
• Help with medications
• Transportation

Essentially, personal caregivers fill in the areas where seniors may need assistance. They supervise and assist in recovery, keep them safe from further injury, and help them with household tasks. They help them carry on their daily routines.

If you have a loved one who may be in need of some extra assistance, with their health or otherwise, consider home care.

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At Sahara Health Care, we are more than just home health care services in Sugar Land, Tx; we are a comprehensive care provider for private individuals, physicians, nursing homes, hospitals, insurance companies and more.