Home Care vs. Home Health Care

They sound similar, but they serve completely different purposes. Here's how to know which one your family needs.

Caregiver providing home care support in Colorado

The Short Answer

Medical vs. Non-Medical

Home health care is medical — nurses and therapists providing skilled care prescribed by a doctor and covered by Medicare. Home care (what we do) is non-medical — trained aides helping with daily activities, safety, and companionship. Most families eventually need both, and they work together well.

Home Care (Us)

Non-medical daily living support. Bathing, dressing, meals, companionship, transportation, housekeeping. No doctor's order needed. Private pay, LTC insurance, or VA benefits. Ongoing — from hours to 24/7.

Home Health Care

Medical care by licensed nurses and therapists. Wound care, IV therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy. Doctor's order required. Medicare/Medicaid covers it. Short-term, episodic visits.

8 Key Differences

Side-by-side comparison across the dimensions that matter most.

Category
Home Care (Non-Medical)
Home Health (Medical)
What it is
Non-medical care focused on daily living — bathing, dressing, meal prep, companionship, transportation, and light housekeeping.
Medical care delivered at home by licensed nurses and therapists — wound care, IV therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and skilled nursing.
Who provides it
Trained home care aides — not medical professionals. CNA-certified or agency-trained with dementia care, safety, and personal care skills.
Licensed professionals — Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs).
Medical tasks
Cannot perform medical procedures. Provides medication reminders but cannot administer injections, manage IVs, or change sterile dressings.
Performs medical procedures — injections, catheter care, wound treatment, blood draws, IV therapy, and rehabilitation exercises.
Duration
Ongoing, long-term support. Families often use home care for months or years. Hours range from a few per week to 24/7 live-in care.
Short-term and episodic. Typically ordered for recovery after surgery, illness, or hospitalization. Ends when medical goals are met — usually weeks to a few months.
Who orders it
Family decides. No doctor's order or referral required. Families contact the agency directly and pay privately, through long-term care insurance, or VA benefits.
Doctor's order required. A physician must prescribe home health care and a care plan must be established. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance typically cover it.
Payment
Private pay, long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance pension, or Medicaid HCBS waivers. Medicare does not cover non-medical home care.
Medicare Part A or B, Medicaid, or private health insurance typically covers 100% of medically necessary home health care with a doctor's order.
Hours per day
Flexible — from 3 hours per week to 24/7 live-in or shift care. Families adjust hours up or down with no contract.
Intermittent — typically a few visits per week, 30–60 minutes each. Not continuous daily presence in the home.
Best for
Aging adults who need help with daily activities, dementia patients, post-hospital recovery support, veterans using VA benefits, and families needing respite.
Patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, receiving rehabilitation after injury, or needing skilled nursing that requires a medical license.

Do You Need Both?

Often, yes. A patient recovering from hip surgery might have a home health nurse for wound care and physical therapy twice a week, plus a home care aide for daily activities, meals, and safety the rest of the time. The two services complement each other, and Colorado CareAssist regularly coordinates with home health agencies to ensure seamless care.

Post-surgery

Home health handles wound care and rehab. Home care handles meals, housekeeping, and transportation to follow-up appointments.

Chronic illness

Home health monitors the condition medically. Home care provides daily support, medication reminders, and caregiver respite for the family.

Dementia / aging

Home health is rarely needed unless a medical issue arises. Home care provides the consistent daily support dementia patients need long-term.

Colorado-Specific

Paying for Home Care vs. Home Health in Colorado

Home health care is typically covered by Medicare Part A or B, Medicaid, or private health insurance when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. There is usually no out-of-pocket cost for the patient.

Home care(non-medical) is not covered by Medicare. Families typically pay privately ($40–$45/hr at Colorado CareAssist), use long-term care insurance, apply for VA Aid & Attendance benefits (up to $2,424/month for eligible veterans in 2026), or qualify for Colorado's Medicaid HCBS waiver programs.

Take the Next Step

Not sure which type of care you need?

Call us for a free consultation. We'll help you understand the options and, if home health is needed, connect you with the right provider.

Get a Free Consultation(303) 757-1777