Understanding Home Care Services:
Home Health vs Home Care
Home care and home health are distinct types of care which are both provided in a home setting,
but most people aren’t aware of the differences and use these terms interchangeably. The key
difference is that “home care” is non-clinical care and “home health” is clinical care
Home Health
Home health care is clinical medical care provided by an registered nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist or other skilled medical professionals. Services are often prescribed as part of a care plan following a hospitalization, illness, or injury.
Home health care services include:
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Therapy and skilled nursing services
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Administration of medications, including injections
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Medical tests and assessments
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Monitoring of health status
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Wound care
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Limited assistance with ADLs
Home Care
Home care is provided by caregivers, usually called home care aides. Aides can help older adults with activities of daily living, or just offer some friendly companionship. Home care is personal or companion care, considered “unskilled” or non-clinical.
Home care aide services may include:
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Help dressing, bathing and grooming
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Companionship and social interaction
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Meal preparation
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Light housekeeping
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Transportation services
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Reminders to take medicine
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Shopping and errands
Service Comparison
| Service | Home Health | Home Care |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy towards rehabilitation | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Administers medications | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Performs medical tests | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Meal preparation or delivery | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Light housekeeping | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Help with bathing, dress, and grooming | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Transportation services | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Reminders to take medication | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Skilled nursing | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Pain management | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Wound care | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Prescription medication management | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| IV Therapy/Injections | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Incontinence care | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Toileting assistance | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Companionship | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
When to Use Home Health
or Home Care Services
Home health and home care are not mutually exclusive services. Many families find that utilizing these
services in tandem best help a senior who, for example, is recovery after a hospitalization. The home health
staff address clinical and rehabilitative needs during the transition home, while a home care aide can help
with personal caregiving and household chores that the senior requires assistance with during his or her
recovery. The chart below describes how both home health care and home care can compliment each other.
Home Health
If patient is homebound and requires another skill, Home Health may provide limited aide visits. Occupational therapy can also support.
Home Care
Can provide support with scheduled visits to help with bathing, grooming, personal hygiene assistance, and oral care in addition to assistance with ADLs.
Home Health
Nursing assessment will be done to identify which services could benefit a successful home rehabilitation including: PT, OT, RN, MSW, Speech Therapy
Home Care
Assist with transitional care home including transportation, grocery shopping, medication pick-up. Ensure a safe environment. Support ADLs and reinforce home health treatment goals to help the senior transition back to independence.
Home Health
Skilled nursing assessment and ongoing nursing visits to monitor how medications are being managed, how they react to one another, and ensure proper dosages are being dispensed.
Home Care
Aide can support by medication reminders and assistance with self-administration of medication. Can read labels and directions to ensure individual is appropriately medicated.
Home Health
Nursing evaluation will be completed along with education on nutrition. Social worker resource may be provided.
Home Care
Support with grocery shopping, cooking, and meal preparation based on nutritional requirements and personal preference. Encourage and remind individual to eat and drink to stay hydrated.
Home Health
Nursing and physical therapy evaluation will be completed to put a care plan in place to increase mobility and strength to help regain independence.
Home Care
Ambulation support, walking with individual, transferring from chair, and assistance with exercise regimen to support home health goals.
Home Health
Skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, in some cases speech therapy and medical social worker for supportive resources
Home Care
Will provide transportation to follow up appointments and treatments, nutritional support, and ensure medications are being taken.
Home Health
Nursing assessment to determine psychiatric nursing care. May also provide a medical social worker to provide social services.
Home Care
Can support with interactive companionship to enhance quality of life. Provide nutrition support and ensure medications are being taken. Engage individuals with social activities.
Choosing The Right
In-Home Care Provider
Know the Difference: Agency, Registry, or Private Caregiver
Choosing care for your loved one can be an overwhelming task. For many families, understanding the difference between a home care agency, nurse registry, or hiring a private caregiver can be very difficult and confusing at times.
Golden Care believes that the process of hiring care for your loved one should be simple and less complex. It should be a comfortable transition for the person receiving care and for your family. Every step of the way we believe you should be part of your loved one’s care, but not have to actively manage all aspects of their care.
The Gold Standard in Home Care starts with our team. We take pride in hiring qualified, compassionate employees who can provide excellent health care to all of our clients. As employees of Golden Care they are:
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Bonded and insured
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Covered by worker’s compensation
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CPR certified
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Required to participate in Continuing Education/In Service Training and Skills Assessments
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Demonstrate competencies
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Are monitored with performance evaluations regularly
Caregiver Service Comparison
| Description | Golden Care | Home Health | Home Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is the caregiver an employee? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Background check (Level II)? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| Drug screening? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| CPR certified? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| License verification? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| Caregiver receives training? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Continuing education offered (CEUs)? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Company handles tax withholdings (federal/state)? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| FICA and Medicare withholding handled? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Unemployment insurance handled? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Worker’s compensation insurance provided? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Liability insurance for caregiver? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Bonded and insured against theft? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| Written care plan created? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Random supervisory visits conducted? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Care monitored by office staff? | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Replacement staff provided if caregiver misses shift? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
| Phone support available 24/7? | ✓ Yes | Maybe | ✕ No |
Questions You Should Ask
Your Home Care Provider
We know that finding quality home care services isn’t always easy. Once you have determined the type of
home care services your loved one needs it's a good idea to interview and evaluate the companies to
compare them. Use the following checklist to help you ask the right questions when hiring help at home.
Yes, Golden Care is a licensed agency, HHA lincense number 299994207
Yes, our no-pressue consultations are free of charge. To schedule, call (239) 440-2900.
We provide a wide range of non-medical services from personal care, custodial care, and companionship.
At Golden Care, we take a personalized approach to caregiving and are committed to meeting the specific needs of each client.
To provide excellent care, we must hire quality employees that go through a rigorous process to join our team. Each employee is drug screened, background check, reference checks, demonstrate competencies, and must communicate well.
Yes, each client goes through a comprehensive care plan consultation. At this meeting family can assist with identifying the tasks necessary for the care plan.
Golden Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our staff answers our phones around to clock to be able to start care as soon as possible.
Yes, we are dedicated to ensuring you or a loved one does not go without services. Our full time staff will be able to support in the absence of the scheduled caregiver.
No, we do NOT have any minimums. We believe that you should be able to get exactly the amount of care you need, whether it is a lot or a little.
No, with Golden Care there are NO long term contracts. We ask our clients for a courtesy of 24 hour cancellation period. Unlike other companies, we do not require prepayment or security deposit to start services. Our clients pay for services AFTER they are provided.
Yes, we work with most long term care insurance companies in order for our clients to get reimbursed for the money spent on services.
We understand that care needs can change regularly. You would call our office 24/7 and speak with our operations staff to update the care plan. Our staff will communicate all information to our caregivers immediately
Our preferred providers
In order for Golden Care to provide the highest level of quality care we must surround ourselves with
community partners that have a similar mission to impact our local seniors. Finding quality health care
solutions and community resources can be challenging at times
Home Health
As one of Florida’s top home healthcare providers, we offer a comprehensive, patient-centered approach. Our skilled nurses and therapists work closely with physicians to create personalized care plans that support health, independence, and well-being. Beyond clinical expertise, our team is chosen for their compassion and commitment to dignified care.
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Audiology Services
Get the best in hearing care with our award-winning Gold Standard for Hearing Aids and Evaluations in Naples. Can’t visit us? Dr. Rasmussen offers house calls at no extra cost — home or office. We use advanced Real Ear Measurements to precisely fit your hearing aids. We also specialize in diagnosing and treating Tinnitus.
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