Staying at home safely often takes more than one kind of help. Use the checklist to describe what is needed, learn the difference between home care and home health, and find official places that can help you plan.
Tick what applies to help you describe the situation. It gives a starting point for conversations with family, doctors and agencies. It is not a medical assessment.
Home care is usually non-medical help with daily living. Home health is skilled nursing or therapy ordered by a doctor.
It can cover some doctor-ordered home health services. It generally does not pay for ongoing non-medical help such as housekeeping or companionship. Check Medicare.gov for the current rules.
The Eldercare Locator finds your local Area Agency on Aging, which can point to services in your area.
It depends on the person. Many families start with a few hours a week and adjust, with a review after any change in health.
Ask about licensing, caregiver screening and training, backup plans, costs in writing and how to end service.
Companion, homemaker, personal care and home health, compared.
Licensing, screening, backup plans and costs, in plain questions.
Medicare limits, insurance, Medicaid and local programs.
We are a marketing agency, not a care provider. For care decisions, talk to a doctor, a care manager or your local Area Agency on Aging. To ask about our work, get in touch or call (510) 857-7838.