Elly Kleinman: Home Health vs Home Care

Like the rest of the world, the USA is an aging society. Between 2000 and 2050, the number of older people is projected to increase by 135%. Moreover, Elly Kleinman, The Americare Companies President and CEO stated the population aged 85 and over, which is the group most likely to need health and long-term care services, is projected to increase by 350% by 2050. Today more than ever, senior adults want to remain confident and comfortable in their own homes, as they grow older, recover from surgery or deal with a challenging• health care issue. For aging and homebound individuals, home is the best place to remain as functional and independent as possible, with the highest degree of security, comfort, and dignity. Elly Kleinman Americare explained that the first step in hiring senior services provided in the home is identifying the difference between non-medical home care and home health care. Home care and home health are separate types of care, both provided in a home setting. Even though they might sound similar, they provide very different services. Since the type of care will both guide your search for the appropriate caregiver as well as define how you will be able to pay for home care, it is important to understand this distinction. Home health care and home care are different in terms of the help provided, resources, the costs, and other factors that affect your choice. Home health care is skilled care that helps individuals get healthy in the comfort of their home. Home health care or supportive health care is medically driven and helps adults and seniors recovering after a hospital or facility stay or those who need additional support to remain safely at home and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. Home health care services include wound care, pain management, therapy and injections, and nursing. This care is provided by registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, home health aides and medical social workers. Home care, also known as custodial care or homemaker services, refers to non-medical services provided to homebound patients by a home care agency. Home care helps individuals to stay independent, healthy and happy through non-medical services like companionship and assistance with activities of daily living. Home care is usually provided by certified home health aides, although supervision is overseen by a registered nurse. Nonmedical in-home care can also be provided by family members. Home care services include bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, cooking meals, laundry, transportation, and reminders to take medicine. As a member of NYCDH, Kleinman Americare also added, "Home care is often long term, and helps to maintain a client's way of life at home".