Home Health vs. In-Home Care: A Helpful Distinction

Senior In-Home Care  |  January 13, 2025

What Every Family in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Senior In-Home Care

Home Health vs. In-Home Care | When supporting patients who wish to age comfortably at home, distinguishing between home health and in-home care can be key to effective patient support. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but each service addresses different needs in patient care. Let’s clarify the distinction, as understanding these differences can help guide patients and families to the right kind of support for their circumstances.

Home Health: Skilled Medical Care at Home

Home health involves medical care provided in the patient’s home by licensed professionals, such as nurses, physical therapists, or occupational therapists. It is typically prescribed by a physician and can include wound care, medication management, chronic illness monitoring, and rehabilitation therapies. Examples of home health services include:

• Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
• Patient and caregiver education
• Intravenous or nutrition therapy
• Injections
• Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status

Home health focuses on supporting patients in recovering from illness or surgery, managing medical conditions, and preventing hospital readmissions—all in the comfort of their homes.

In-Home Care: Assistance for Daily Living

In-home care, on the other hand, is non-medical support provided by trained caregivers to assist individuals with daily living activities. This type of care can be short-term—such as during recovery from surgery—or long-term for older adults who need continued assistance. Examples of in-home care services include:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Companionship

In-home care is especially beneficial for individuals who need support with daily activities but do not require medical intervention. The goal is to enhance quality of life by addressing personal and emotional needs while promoting independence.

Choosing the Right Care for Your Patients

Research suggests that some medical professionals may not always draw a clear line between home health and in-home care, yet understanding these distinctions can help patients receive the right type of support. Home health is ideal for those needing medical care at home, whereas in-home care focuses on enhancing day-to-day living for those who value independence but need extra help.

Aging in Place with Comfort

For many seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions, aging at home is an important aspect of maintaining their quality of life. Advances in telemedicine and remote health monitoring have made it easier to integrate a mix of home health and in-home care services. This personalized approach not only offers a convenient care experience but also helps patients stay in control of their health journey.

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help Families Decide Between Home Health vs. In-Home Care

Comfort Keepers^® provides uplifting in-home care that helps seniors thrive. Our specially trained caregivers focus on developing genuine relationships with clients, keeping them physically and mentally engaged while ensuring they experience joy in their daily activities.

If you know a patient or family that could benefit from Comfort Keepers’ services, they can reach out for a free consultation. Let’s work together to help individuals age comfortably and confidently at home.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Victoria, BC is Comfort Keepers®

Firstly, if you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, overnight care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria provides in-home elderly care services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. In particular, our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria in-home caregivers can help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. As a result, personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Senior Homecare in Victoria, BC

Learn more about our unique service which offers respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

References:
ForbesHEALTH: What Is Home Health Care And How Does It Work?
Medicare.gov: Home health services
NIH: Services for Older Adults Living at Home
NIH: Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home
USC Schol of Gerontology: The Value of Aging in Place

Share This Post: