What is home care also called? Navigating common names for senior support

With nearly 90% of adults aged 65 and older wanting to stay in their homes as they age, home-based support is a popular option. Learning what is home care also called is a crucial first step for families seeking to arrange assistance that allows their loved ones to age in place safely and comfortably.

Quick Summary

Home care is also called in-home care, personal care, companion care, or custodial care. These terms describe non-medical services that help with daily living activities, distinct from the skilled medical care known as home health.

Key Points

• Diverse Terminology: Home care is known by many names, including personal care, companion care, and homemaker services, which often relate to the specific type of non-medical support provided.

• Home Care vs. Home Health: A major distinction exists between non-medical home care, which helps with daily tasks, and home health care, which provides skilled medical services ordered by a doctor.

• Focus on ADLs: Personal care is a common synonym for home care that involves hands-on assistance with Activities of Daily Living like bathing and dressing.

• Promotes Independence: One of the greatest benefits of home care, regardless of its name, is enabling seniors to maintain their independence and remain in the comfort of their own home.

• Various Payment Options: While home health care is often covered by insurance, non-medical home care is typically paid privately, through long-term care insurance, or with specific state-based aid.

• Requires Research: Choosing the right home care provider involves carefully assessing needs, vetting agencies, and understanding the service agreement to ensure high-quality care.

Unpacking the Terminology: The Many Names for Home Care

The phrase “home care” is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of services. The specific name used often depends on the type of assistance being provided. For families exploring options for a loved one, understanding this vocabulary is essential for finding the right fit. The most common alternative names include personal care, companion care, and homemaker services.

• Personal Care: This term specifically refers to hands-on assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These are the basic, fundamental tasks that people may struggle with as they age. Services include bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility assistance.
• Companion Care: Focusing on emotional and social support, companion care helps combat loneliness and isolation. Caregivers assist with non-medical tasks and provide companionship. This can involve conversation, playing games, accompanying clients on errands, and providing transportation to appointments.
• Homemaker Services: As the name suggests, this type of care focuses on household chores and daily tasks. This includes light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and grocery shopping.
• In-Home Care: This is a broader, often interchangeable term for home care, encompassing any non-medical support delivered in the home. It is a general phrase used to describe the location of service, differentiating it from a facility.
• Custodial Care: Although less commonly used today due to its institutional connotations, this term historically referred to non-medical assistance with daily living needs. It is essentially synonymous with personal care when used in the home setting.
• Domiciliary Care: This is another term for care received at home, particularly used in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it is a less common but still valid synonym.

The Crucial Distinction: Home Care vs. Home Health Care

One of the most important distinctions to make is between home care and home health care. Many people mistakenly use these terms interchangeably, but they represent two different types of services with different staffing, eligibility, and payment structures. Here is a clear comparison:

Feature	Home Care (Non-Medical)	Home Health Care (Medical)
Services Provided	Assistance with daily living (ADLs), meal prep, light housekeeping, companionship, transportation.	Skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, medication administration.
Providers	Professional caregivers, home health aides (HHAs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).	Licensed medical professionals, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and certified therapists.
Medical Requirement	No physician's order required. Can be arranged based on need.	Must be prescribed by a doctor as part of a care plan.
Funding Source	Typically paid privately (out-of-pocket), or through long-term care insurance.	Often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance if eligibility criteria are met.
Length of Service	Can be long-term, ongoing support.	Usually short-term, intermittent care following an illness, injury, or hospital stay.

Types of Non-Medical Home Care Services

Delving deeper into the world of non-medical support reveals a variety of specialized services tailored to meet different needs. These can often be combined to create a comprehensive care plan.

1. Respite Care: Provides short-term relief for a primary family caregiver. This can be for a few hours, a day, or longer, giving the family caregiver a much-needed break from their duties. A respite caregiver steps in to ensure the loved one's needs are met during this time.
2. Transitional Care: Support provided for a short period after a hospitalization or discharge from a rehabilitation facility. The goal is to prevent readmission by helping the patient follow medical instructions, manage medications, and regain strength and independence.
3. Live-In Care: For individuals who need constant supervision or overnight assistance, live-in care provides a caregiver who stays in the home for an extended period, offering continuous support and peace of mind.
4. Specialized Home Care: This is for clients with specific conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's. These caregivers have additional training to manage the unique challenges associated with these conditions, focusing on maintaining routine, safety, and cognitive function.

The Benefits of Staying Home

Choosing at-home care, regardless of its name, offers numerous benefits that contribute to a higher quality of life for seniors and their families. This personalized approach to aging is often preferred over moving to a care facility.

• Familiar Surroundings: Remaining in one's own home, surrounded by cherished memories and belongings, can provide a great sense of comfort, security, and stability. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dementia.
• Independence and Dignity: Home care allows seniors to maintain control over their daily routines and life choices, preserving their independence. Caregivers provide support where needed, but encourage self-reliance as much as possible.
• Personalized, One-on-One Care: Unlike a facility with many residents, home care provides undivided attention from a dedicated caregiver, ensuring needs are met promptly and with personal focus.
• Increased Safety and Reduced Risk: With assistance for tasks like bathing, ambulation, and medication reminders, the risk of falls and other household accidents is significantly reduced. Staying out of medical facilities also minimizes exposure to hospital-acquired infections.
• Family Involvement: Home care allows families to remain closely involved in the care of their loved one, from selecting caregivers to monitoring the care plan. This open communication provides peace of mind.
• Customized Care Plans: Services are flexible and can be tailored to the unique needs and budget of the individual. As needs change, the care plan can be easily adjusted.

How to Choose a Home Care Provider

Selecting a home care agency is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. A thoughtful process can help ensure a positive and effective care experience.

1. Assess Your Needs: Clearly define what level of assistance is required. Do you need help with bathing and dressing (personal care) or just light housekeeping and errands (homemaker services)?
2. Research Providers: Look for reputable agencies with a strong track record. Check for state licensing and accreditation. Reading reviews and testimonials from other families can provide valuable insights.
3. Conduct Interviews: Schedule meetings with prospective agencies and the specific caregivers they would assign. Ask about their training, experience, and how they handle emergencies.
4. Verify Credentials and Background Checks: Confirm that the agency conducts thorough background checks on all caregivers. For added assurance, check with your state's health department for complaint records.
5. Review the Service Agreement: Obtain a clear, written contract that details all services, costs, and payment schedules. Ensure there are no hidden fees.
6. Trust Your Instincts: A good caregiver relationship is built on trust and comfort. Pay attention to how you and your loved one feel during interactions with the agency staff and caregivers.

By understanding the different terms for home care and doing thorough research, families can make informed decisions to secure the best possible support. For additional resources on making this important choice, see the guide on A Place for Mom.

Conclusion: The Right Term for the Right Care

The many names for home care—from personal care to companion care and domiciliary services—reflect the wide array of options available to those who wish to age in place. The key is to see past the jargon and focus on the specific services being offered. By understanding the critical difference between non-medical home care and skilled home health care, families can confidently navigate the options and find the perfect match for their loved one's needs, promoting independence, comfort, and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between home care and home health care?

Home care provides non-medical assistance with daily activities and companionship, while home health care offers skilled medical services, such as nursing or therapy, prescribed by a doctor. Home care is typically long-term, and home health is usually short-term.

Is 'personal care' the same thing as 'home care'?

Personal care is a specific type of home care that involves hands-on assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like bathing and dressing. While all personal care is home care, not all home care is personal care, as it can also include companion services or homemaker tasks.

Is home care covered by Medicare?

Generally, Medicare does not cover non-medical home care, such as assistance with meal preparation, housekeeping, or companionship. It may cover specific home health care services if they are medically necessary and prescribed by a physician.

What does a companion care provider do?

A companion care provider offers social and emotional support to prevent isolation. They can assist with light housekeeping, errands, transportation, and meal prep but do not provide hands-on personal care like bathing or dressing assistance.

What is 'custodial care'?

Custodial care is another term for non-medical care that helps with daily living needs, similar to personal care. It is less frequently used today, but historically, it was used to distinguish non-skilled care from medical treatments.

How is home care typically paid for?

Non-medical home care is most often paid for using personal funds (private pay) or through a long-term care insurance policy. Some state Medicaid programs may also offer coverage for certain services.

What does 'domiciliary care' mean?

Domiciliary care is a term, more common in the UK, that refers to the same concept as in-home care—providing assistance and support to individuals within their own homes.