The 2 Types of Home Care

There are two basic types of home care: skilled home health care and nonmedical care. You may need one or both.
1. Skilled home health care consists of services provided by a licensed professional such as a nurse or therapist. It’s also called skilled nursing care and medical home care. Services include intermittent visits for things like dressing changes; medication education; and physical, speech or occupational therapy.
2. Nonmedical home care, which is what True Angel Care Services provides, encompasses other types of help. It’s also known as personal support services, private-duty care and custodial care. Sometimes it offers just homemaker companion care. Often, people who need skilled home health care also need nonmedical home care.

The 3 Types of Home Care Agencies

The agencies that offer home care are divided into three types: home health care, hospice and nonmedical home care. Which type you need depends on which kind of care you want.

1. Home health care agencies
Does Medicare cover their care? If the agency is Medicare-certified and you meet certain qualifications, Medicare covers intermittent visits by a licensed professional for a limited time (usually lasting a few weeks). It also covers brief visits from a home care aide to provide personal care (such as a bath once or twice a week) if needed while receiving the skilled care.
How do I qualify? Your doctor must write an order saying you need intermittent skilled care and are homebound, meaning leaving home is hard or not recommended. For more details, download this Medicare document.

2. Hospice agencies
What is hospice? Hospice provides end-of-life home health care and nonmedical care. Services involve various providers, including doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors and clergy members. The goal of hospice is to improve your quality of life rather than cure an illness. Hospice care can also be provided at a facility.
Does Medicare cover their care? Yes, if the hospice is Medicare-approved. For more information, download this Medicare document.
How do I qualify? Your doctor and the hospice medical director must certify that your life expectancy is six months or less. You must also agree to forgo curative treatment and focus on comfort care. (You can always change your mind and go back to regular medical care.)

3. Nonmedical home care agencies
As you’ve probably guessed, home care agencies, provide nonmedical supportive care. They help people stay in their own home, whether or not they need skilled care. Services vary a bit from state to state. You can receive the services for a few hours a week to 24 hours a day.
Does Medicare cover their care? No, but there are other options to pay for home care, including Medicaid waivers (need-based financial aid), the Aid and Attendance Improved Pension (for qualifying veterans), and long-term care insurance. Preferred Care at Home strives to provide reliable, compassionate care that is also affordable.