Non-Medical Home Care vs. Home Health: What’s the Difference?

When families begin exploring support for an aging loved one, two terms often come up: non-medical home care and home health. They sound similar, but they serve very different needs. Understanding the distinction can help families choose the right type of care at the right time.

What Is Non-Medical Home Care?

Non-medical home care provides everyday support that helps older adults remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home. Caregivers are not nurses—they focus on daily living rather than medical procedures.

Common services include:

• Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Mobility support and fall-prevention
• Medication reminders
• Companionship and social engagement
• Transportation to appointments or errands

Who it’s for:
Adults who want to stay at home but need help with daily tasks or personal care. This type of care can be part-time, full-time, or 24/7.

What Is Home Health?

Home health is medical care delivered at home, ordered by a physician and performed by licensed clinicians. Unlike non-medical care, home health focuses on treating an illness, injury, or post-hospital recovery.

Common services include:

• Skilled nursing
• Wound care
• Medication management and injections
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Monitoring after a hospitalization

Who it’s for:
Individuals recovering from surgery, an injury, a hospitalization, or managing chronic medical conditions. Home health is typically short-term and insurance-covered when medically necessary.

How Do They Work Together?

Many families benefit from both services at the same time. For example:

• Home health nurses may provide wound care and therapy.
• Non-medical caregivers help with bathing, meals, mobility, and safety between clinical visits.

Together, they create a complete circle of support that improves safety, recovery, and quality of life at home.

Bottom Line

• Non-medical home care = daily living support that keeps seniors safe and independent.
• Home health = medical care at home ordered by a doctor.

Understanding the difference helps families choose the right level of care—whether that’s simple day-to-day support, skilled medical services, or a combination of both.