Home care, home health or hospice: what is the difference?
These three words sound alike, but they mean different kinds of help.
Home care
Help with everyday tasks: bathing, dressing, meals, light housework, getting around, and company. It is not medical care. In Delaware, agencies that send these helpers are licensed as personal assistance services agencies. See licensed home care agencies.
Home health care
Medical care at home from nurses and therapists, such as wound care or physical therapy. It usually follows a hospital stay or a doctor's order. See licensed home health agencies.
Hospice care
Comfort care for a person with a serious illness who is no longer seeking a cure. It supports the family too. It can happen at home or in a care setting. See licensed hospice providers.
Who pays depends on the person's situation and coverage. Medicare's official site, medicare.gov, explains what Medicare covers, and your doctor can tell you what fits.
This guide is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice.