What Is Home Care?

Mom is still sharp — she just can’t do everything she used to. Does that mean a facility? Not necessarily.

Home care is non-medical support delivered right in the home: help with bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands, and companionship. A trained caregiver comes to your loved one — for a few hours a week or around the clock. The goal is simple: keep your loved one safe, comfortable, and independent in the home they love. Home care is different from home health, which is medical care ordered by a doctor. Home care handles daily living. And because it’s considered custodial care, original Medicare generally doesn’t pay for it — families use private funds, long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or Medicaid programs for those who qualify.

If you’ve noticed missed meals, missed medications, or a parent slowly wearing down, home care is usually the first — and gentlest — step.

This has been Care Without Crisis Explains, presented by Vanguard Care Solutions.

For more free videos and family resources — or when you’re ready to talk about care at home — visit vanguardcaresolutions.com or call 301-327-1444.