Have you reached a point where a loved one requires additional care beyond your capabilities? If so, you must consider your care options. For example, you may choose unskilled in home care, home healthcare, or private duty care.
Those unfamiliar with the home care industry may not know the difference between these three services. This article will clarify what each entails.
Home Care vs. Home Healthcare vs. Private Duty Care
Let’s start by exploring the three main types of home care as follows:
Basic Home Care:
- Provider: This type of care is typically offered by an unskilled worker. That’s not to say the worker isn’t trained. However, they don’t have any professional medical training.
- Tasks: Services typically include help around the home, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, mobility assistance, self-care assistance, and companionship care. The caregiver may also assist the client outside the home with transportation needs.
- Duration: Basic home care is typically short-term, focused on rehabilitation and independent living, but it could be longer-term.
- Insurance: Home care may be covered by private or state insurance.
Home Health Care:
- Provider: A health aide typically has some medical training and may be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or registered nurse (RN).
- Tasks: Providers offer services including basic home care but also tend to medical needs, vital sign monitoring, wound care, complex medical administration, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- Duration: As with basic home care, home healthcare is typically short-term, focusing on healing.
- Insurance: Nursing services may be covered by private or state insurance.
Private Duty Care:
- Provider: Providers are typically CNAs or RNs.
- Tasks: Tasks are similar to those of a home healthcare aide, including help around the home and light medical care. However, people in need of private duty care often have complex, chronic conditions. A personalized caregiving plan is typically developed to address their specific needs.
- Duration: Although private duty nursing can be short-term, it typically lasts longer as it is focused on management support rather than improvement.
- Insurance: Private duty care is not typically covered by insurance. Most families pay out of pocket.
Aurora Offers In-Home Care You Can Trust
When your loved one requires additional care, you need a trustworthy provider. Aurora is a reputable home care agency offering a wide range of basic, healthcare, and private duty services. Our compassionate team is committed to helping your loved one achieve a higher quality of life.
Contact us when your loved one is ready for additional care.
FAQs
Who qualifies for private duty care?
To qualify for private duty care, you must demonstrate a medical necessity. Individuals often require this type of care if they depend on technology to complete basic tasks, face health risks if they don’t receive constant care, and have homebound status. Chronic conditions that lead to a need for private duty care include respiratory disorders, seizures, birth injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and advanced conditions like ALS.
Can insurance cover private duty care?
Most private duty care is paid out of pocket. However, some providers will cover some aspects of the service. Check with your provider to find out what can be covered.
Are private duty care services available 24/7?
Yes, many providers offer 24/7 services to suit patient needs.
Why is home care preferred over residential care?
A fourth option to home care, home healthcare, and private duty services is residential care. While residential facilities are recommended for some patients, they are not typically preferred options. According to an AARP study, 73% of seniors prefer to grow old in the comfort of their homes, due to familiar settings and social connections.
