As we care for our aging parent or loved one, there comes a time when extra hands are needed. One thing most seniors crave is the desire to remain in their homes or community while receiving this care. To meet this need, you will need to understand the difference between medical and non-medical home care.
These are two broad geriatric care management options that have the similarity of delivering the service at home. This is a trait they share contrary to other choices like nursing homes and assisted living.
This guide covers medical vs non-medical home care and discusses comparison factors such as level of care, benefits, and cost. It also explains circumstances that call for a collaborative effort.
Medical vs Non-Medical Home Care: General Overview
Medical home care (or home health care) and non-medical home care differ mainly in the type of service provided and the personnel handling the care.
Medical Home Care
Medical home care involves health-related services. This includes those provided by licensed healthcare professionals such as physicians, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), medical social workers, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.
Their services include but are not limited to:
- Medication management and administration
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Medical monitoring and vital signs
- Disease education and management
- IV therapy and injections
- Post-surgical care and rehabilitation
The type of care provided is usually temporary and usually doesn’t include personal assistance such as grooming, bathing, and laundry, as it is focused on helping patients manage or recover from illness, injury, or surgery.
Non-Medical Home Care
Non-medical home care focuses on assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) and Instrumental ADLs. It also plays a significant role in providing support and companionship to seniors
The services provided typically include:
- Personal care assistance
- Meal preparation and nutrition planning
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Mobility assistance around the home or to appointments
- Companionship and social engagement
- Shopping and errands
Non-medical caregivers don’t need medical licenses but often receive specialized training in senior care. They don’t offer medical assistance, except for simple tasks such as medication reminders. Their goal is to help support the individual in their day-to-day life.
Medical vs Non-Medical Home Care: Use Cases
The most important factor to consider when choosing between medical and non-medical home care is necessity. This is completely dependent on the senior involved and the reason why you believe they need home care in the first place.
When Is Medical Home Care Necessary?
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Medical home care becomes necessary when the person needs medical attention. This ranges from simple vital signs monitoring to critical care management. This is especially recommended for seniors who:
- have had a surgery, stroke, or serious illness
- are managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease
- need wound care or ostomy care
- require rehabilitation therapies
- receive medications via injection or IV
If your loved one’s physician has referred or recommended any form of medical assistance for support or recovery, then medical home care becomes appropriate. If all that is needed is non-medical in nature, then you should consider non-medical home care instead.
When is Non-Medical Home Care Necessary?
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While non-medical care doesn’t address health needs, it offers numerous benefits that support the overall well-being of seniors.
Here are reasons why seniors may require non-medical home care:
- The need for companionship to reduce or prevent isolation and depression
- Assisting with daily activities that might become challenging with age
- For better nutritional support through meal planning and preparation
- To ensure transportation to medical appointments and social activities
- Requiring home safety monitoring but would like to remain in familiar surroundings
Some caregivers take on multiple roles, such as providing transportation, preparing meals, and offering companionship, to ensure comprehensive care.
At Firefly Home Care, we understand the necessity of both medical and non-medical support. Our caregivers provide personalized attention and companionship as required while allowing the seniors the freedom to express themselves and make decisions.
Medical vs Non-Medical Home Care: Cost Considerations
When planning for care options, another factor to consider is cost. The cost of medical home care and non-medical home care differs significantly in amount and style of payment.
Medical home care tends to be more expensive due to the specialized skills required and the frequency suggested by the medical professional. It is a necessity that doesn’t provide much room for negotiation. However, as progress is made, the frequency can be reduced.
Non-medical home care is relatively cheaper but could also be very expensive depending on the frequency. It is paid hourly and the rates usually differ per state. You can save costs by hiring only within working hours when you would be unavailable, but you also have the option of paying for 24/7 care if that’s what is required.
When comparing options, it’s also worth considering the cost of home care vs nursing homes, This is another medical vs non-medical home care comparison. While both provide care, nursing homes involve a different living arrangement and level of support.
Medical vs Non-Medical Home Care: Payment Options
There are more chances for insurance coverage for medical home care due to the medical assistance involved. Medical home care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance when prescribed by a physician. VA benefits are also allowed for veterans and their spouses.
Non-medical home care is typically paid for privately, though some long-term care insurance policies, VA benefits, and state programs may provide partial or full coverage.
When Both Types of Care Work Together
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Sometimes, the most effective care plan combines elements of both medical and non-medical home care. For example, a person recovering from hip replacement surgery will require wound care as well as physical rehabilitation therapy, while also needing personal assistance such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and chores in the meantime.
This can also be done on a preventive scale. A senior may only need personal assistance, but you can get an in-home nurse to come once in a while for health monitoring. This collaborative approach ensures that all needs (both medical and non-medical) are addressed, and all aspect of support is provided.
While this collaborative approach may be more expensive, it is often the most effective solution when comprehensive care is needed.. It is in cases like this where hiring a home care agency like Firefly trumps all other choices because you have all the services provided by the same organization.
Why Choose Firefly Home Care
Firefly Home Care is a home care agency that deals with geriatric care management. We offer both non-medical caregiving and skilled nursing services through our partnership with Firefly Home Health LLC. This collaborative approach allows us to deliver quality services tailored to each individual’s community and needs.
Our services stand out with their delivery. All caregivers in our hire are experts in their fields, from trained geriatric care managers to skilled nurses who can build personal relationships with your loved ones while providing the desired service.
To make things very easy, aside from private pay, Firefly accepts payments from private health insurance, long-term care insurance, church groups, and veteran’s Administration. This means you can easily pay your medical and non-medical home care bills.
Begin Your Care Journey Today
After carefully understanding the differences between medical and non-medical home care, you need to decide on the support system to provide the needed care for your loved one. If you’re in search of skilled caregivers, nurses, or a combination of both, Firefly Home Care is here to help. Explore our comprehensive services and contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey into optimized care in the comfort of your home.
