Comparison between In-Home, Home Health, and Hospice Care

In-Home Care:

Private duty in-home care offers home care aides or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in a clients home or living facility. The services include: companionship, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, help with personal hygiene, medication reminders,  and escorted transportation for errands, shopping and doctor appointments.  The goal of in-home care is to allow an individual to remain living in their preferred location as long as possible. In-home care can be anywhere from a few visits up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  Payment options vary based on the individual situation from Long-term Care Insurance, Community Long Term Care, Grants, Veteran's benefits and private pay. In-home care does not require a doctor’s order.

Home Health Care:

Home Health care offers skilled nursing services.  It is intermittent or short-term care provided by registered nurses (RNs), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapist (OTs), speech language pathologists (SLPs), home health aides (HHAs) and medical social workers (MSWs) as a limited number of up to one hour visits, primarily through medical insurance as this is a medical service. A Home Health care agency coordinates skilled care services once they have been ordered by a physician.

Hospice:

Hospice programs are available to help those at the end stages of life live their remaining days with dignity.  Hospice normally involves a team of nurses, physicians, home health aides, clergy or other spiritual counselors, social workers and volunteers who provide comprehensive support for families dealing with end of life decisions. Hospice is primarily a concept of care, not a specific place of care. Hospice care usually is provided in the patient's home and requires a doctor’s order. Hospice may be covered by Medicare, private health insurance,  veterans' benefits and Medicaid (confirm your coverage with your insurance provider