While in-home care can be used to describe both medical and non-medical care in the home, typically in-home care refers to non-medical care such as companionship, homemaking services and personal care.
Home health is a term used to describe skilled nursing care and other functions such as speech, physical or occupational therapy. In-home care allows your loved one to get the help he or she needs without giving up independence. A caregiver provides seniors and other adults assistance at home to ensure their physical wellbeing and social health.
Caregivers provide companionship, personal care, and other quality of life services. This can include mobility and safety assistance, help with meals and housekeeping, transportation to appointments and social events, as well as activities that encourage engagement, purpose, connection and joy. The term aging in place refers to seniors that choose to remain in their home as they get older instead of moving to an independent or assisted living community.
According to the AARP, a majority of seniors would prefer to remain in their homes for as long as possible. And aging in place has a number of benefits. The term home health aide and caregiver can be used interchangeably. Home health aides provide companionship, personal care, and other quality of life services. These include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility and toileting.
Many seniors who require help with such activities are largely independent but may require help with one or two ADLs.
