Learn the key differentiators between medical and non-medical home care for your senior loved ones
There are many different resources available to provide support for seniors, but many individuals are unsure about the differences in the services provided, especially pertaining to the medical and non-medical sector of senior home care.
Continue reading to learn how to identify the differences between medical and non-medical in-home care.
What is medical home care?
Medical home care is recommended for seniors who need medical assistance due to an illness or injury. This type of care is provided by a nurse caregiver or a licensed medical professional.
Medical home care services may include:
- Wound care
- Postoperative rehabilitation
- Medication administration of IV infusions or injections
- Pain management
- Care for catheters, feeding tubes, or ventilators
Medical home care is generally prescribed by a doctor to allow for seniors to recover in the comfort of their own home. Medical home care services ensure seniors are able to recover in their home safely and effectively with reduced risk for complications.
Related resource:
Our guide to surgery recovery for seniors
What is non-medical home care?
Non-medical home care primarily focuses on supporting seniors with daily living and flourishing in place.
This type of home care service includes:
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Assistance with errands
- Medication reminders
- Nighttime and wake-up routines
- And much more.
Depending on the senior’s individual needs, non-medical home care can offer flexible hours, from a few hours a week to several hours a day. The caregivers are able to offer companionship and tailor their care to each senior’s unique needs. This service allows for seniors to function independently while having their appropriately needed level of support
What are the differences between medical and non-medical home care?
The main differentiator between the two services is the need for a mandatory doctor’s order. With non-medical home care service, there is no doctor’s order required, unlike medical home care service.
A medical home care service assists with the medical and rehabilitation sector of a senior’s recovery, whereas the non-medical home care service assists with tasks around the house that seniors may not be able to perform anymore.
Looking for a non-medical home care service for you or a loved one?
Flourish in Place is a licensed home health “private duty” agency offering non-medical supportive care for seniors and others in their chosen home environment.
We provide non-medical home care specialized services including dementia care, cooking and serving nutritious meals, companionship and support, light housekeeping, and medication reminders.
To learn more, please request your Free Consultation today!
