Home care vs. home health care in Illinois
Both can take place at home, but they serve different needs. Learn who provides each kind of care and which questions to ask.
This article does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice. Contact an appropriate licensed professional for advice about an individual situation.
Home care helps with everyday life. Home health care provides clinical services ordered by a medical professional. The similar names cause confusion, especially when someone is coming home from a hospital.
What non-medical home care can do
Illinois describes home services as help with activities of daily living, housekeeping, laundry, and companionship. Depending on the agency's service list and the care plan, support may also include meals, errands, transportation assistance, and medication reminders. These services do not include nursing care or treatment.
- Help with bathing, dressing, and other personal routines
- Companionship and support with daily structure
- Meal preparation, light housekeeping, and errands
- Respite for a family caregiver
What home health care can do
Home health care can include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language services for an eligible person. A doctor or other allowed provider orders the care, and a Medicare-certified home health agency provides it when Medicare coverage applies.
If the need is wound care, injections, therapy, or another clinical task, ask a healthcare professional about home health. If the need is help with bathing, meals, companionship, or daily routines, ask about non-medical home care.
Can someone receive both?
Yes. A person may receive time-limited clinical visits from a home health agency and separate, ongoing non-medical help between those visits. Keep each provider's tasks clear in writing so family members know whom to call about a medical concern and whom to call about daily support.
Questions to bring to the first call
- Which tasks do we need help with each day?
- Has a clinician ordered skilled care or therapy?
- Who will handle medication administration, if needed?
- What schedule and location need coverage?
- Which services are included in each provider's written plan?
All Sufficient Home Care provides non-medical services. Our team can discuss daily support in Lisle and the communities we serve; clinical needs should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare professional.
Sources
Discuss your family’s care needs
Tell us which tasks are becoming difficult. We can explain our services and current scheduling options.
Talk with a care coordinator
We can explain the services we provide, current scheduling options, and how the consultation works.