Home Care

Home care is care that you get in your home. Usually, home care begins after discharge from a hospital or medical center and takes the place of extended care in a nursing or rehab facility.

Keep in mind that home care and home healthcare are not the same. Home care includes services that help with daily living like housekeeping, meal preparation and other chores. Home healthcare offers daily living services, but it also focuses on medical needs—such as caring for wounds, keeping you active through exercise and giving you medicine.

How to Choose Home Care

Before deciding on a home care and home healthcare agency or provider, it may be helpful to ask doctors, neighbors or friends for advice. You also may want to call local agencies and ask them questions, including:

How long has the agency been open?
Does the agency have a current license (if needed)?
How much do supervisors oversee the quality of care?
How are caregivers hired? Trained?
What type of screening is done for employees?

If you’re thinking about hiring a home care aide who doesn’t work for a hospital or other provider, you may want to screen him or her by requesting an interview and references. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about special needs you or your loved one may have.