Home Care vs. Home Health Care: Which Does Your Family Need?

Home care and home health care sound very similar, but they are not the same service. Home care is non-medical help with daily life, like bathing, meals, errands, and company. Home health care is medical care, such as nursing or therapy, ordered by a doctor. Many Michigan families need one, and some need both. Here's how to tell which is the right fit for you, and what we offer at Michigan Home Care.

What Home Health Care Means in Michigan

Home health care is skilled medical care delivered at home, usually after a hospital stay, surgery, or illness. It's prescribed by a physician and provided by licensed clinicians such as nurses and therapists.

Home health services require a doctor's order and a care plan, and can include skilled nursing and physical, occupational, or speech therapy. State of Michigan home health care follows that medical model. It's typically short-term and tied to a specific recovery goal, like healing a wound or regaining strength after a hip replacement.

What Home Care Covers, and What We Provide

Home care is hands-on, non-medical support that helps individuals with physical limitations or disabilities stay safe and comfortable in their own house. At Michigan Home Care, we serve families in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland, and our in-home care services include:

• Respite care for family caregivers who need a break
• Companionship, including errands, grocery shopping, and light housekeeping
• Bathing and shower assistance, and incontinence care
• Meal preparation and medication reminders
• Transportation to medical appointments and other errands

We don't provide skilled nursing or therapy. Our caregivers help individuals take their prescribed medications at the right times, but they don't replace a nurse.

The Differences Between Home Care and Home Health Care

• Type of help: Home care is non-medical daily support. Home health care is skilled medical care.
• Who provides it: Home care comes from caregivers and companions. Home health care comes from nurses and licensed therapists.
• Doctor's order: Home care doesn't need one. Home health care does.
• Typical services: Home care covers bathing, meals, rides, and housekeeping. Home health care covers wound care, injections, and physical therapy.
• How long it lasts: Home care is ongoing, for as long as it's needed. Home health care is short-term and tied to recovery.

For more information on how the two differ, read our complete guide on the difference between home care and home health care.

When a Family Needs One, the Other, or Both

The right choice depends on your loved one’s specific needs. Choose home health care when a doctor prescribes medical treatment at home. Choose home care when the need is daily support, such as help getting in and out of the shower, help preparing meals, or rides to appointments.

Plenty of families end up using both. A nurse may visit a few times a week to manage recovery, while a caregiver helps with the other hours: meals, bathing, laundry, and company. If you're not sure where your loved one falls, our article on signs your loved one may need in-home care is a good place to start.

Talk With Us About Home Care in Michigan

If daily tasks have become hard for someone you love, we can talk through what help makes sense. If you’re interested in learning more about our home care services in Midland and the surrounding area, give us a call or contact us online for a free consultation.