When health begins to decline, one of the most important questions families face is: what level of care is needed? Is it time for assisted living or skilled nursing? Or can home care help a loved one stay safely at home while getting the support they need?
For many older adults and their families, home care is the answer, at least for now. According to AARP’s 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their own homes as they age. Home care makes that possible.
What Is Home Care?
Home care covers a broad range of health and supportive services delivered in a person’s home. It serves older adults who need help with daily activities, post-surgical patients requiring wound care or physical therapy, and people with chronic conditions who benefit from skilled nursing supervision and ongoing support.
It’s worth clarifying two terms that are often used interchangeably:
Home health care typically refers to skilled services ordered by a physician, such as nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. These services are often covered by Medicare when medically necessary.
Home care is the broader term. It includes skilled services but also personal care (help with bathing, dressing, and grooming), light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, and safety monitoring. Both types of support are valuable, and both contribute to keeping people healthy and independent at home.
A Comparison of Home Care vs. Other Senior Living Settings
Families trying to choose between care options often ask how home care compares to alternatives.
| Care Setting | What It Provides | Best For |
| Home care (personal/companion services) | Help with daily tasks, companionship, safety monitoring | Seniors needing light support to remain at home |
| Home health care (skilled) | Nursing, therapy, wound care ordered by a physician | Post-surgical recovery, chronic condition management |
| Adult day care | Supervised daytime programs with medical or social services | Seniors living at home who need daytime support |
| Assisted living | Housing with personal care and some health services | Seniors who need more support than home care can provide |
| Skilled nursing | 24/7 medical care and therapy in a facility | Complex medical conditions, short-term rehab, or long-term care needs |
The right choice depends on the individual’s health, safety needs, available family support, and personal preferences.
Is Home Care Affordable?
Cost is often the deciding factor. The good news is that home care is typically much less expensive than residential care, especially when a person needs only part-time or hourly support.
According to the Genworth/CareScout 2024 Cost of Care Survey, the national annual median cost of home health aide care was approximately $77,792, compared to $111,325 for a semi-private room in a nursing home and $127,750 for a private room. For someone who needs only a few hours of care per day, the cost difference is even more significant.
Home care services can be paid for through:
- Medicare, when a patient meets eligibility requirements (homebound status and physician-ordered skilled care)
- Medicaid, for qualifying individuals approved for home care services
- Long-term care insurance, depending on the policy
- VA benefits, for eligible veterans and surviving spouses
- Private pay, for services not covered by insurance
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Home Care
Home care is worth exploring if a loved one has experienced any of the following below.
- Has recently returned home from a hospital or rehabilitation stay
- Is managing a chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD
- Has experienced a fall or shows signs of unsteadiness
- Struggles with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or meal preparation
- Lives alone and would benefit from regular check-ins or companionship
- Needs medication reminders or monitoring
Starting home care doesn’t necessarily mean giving up independence. For many people, it means maintaining it.
The Broader Picture for New York
New York has long recognized home care as an essential component of its long-term care system. By keeping people in their homes and communities, home care reduces reliance on more costly settings and supports families who are trying to do right by their loved ones without exhausting their own resources.
As the population of older adults in the United States continues to grow, the role of home care will only become more important. Services that once seemed like a convenience are increasingly a critical part of managing chronic illness, supporting family caregivers, and helping people live with dignity in the place they love most: home.
Home Care through Gurwin is Available Throughout Long Island
Gurwin’s home care services on Long Island are available through both a Licensed Home Care Services Agency and a Certified Home Health Agency, serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Whether a loved one needs a home health aide for a few hours a day or skilled nursing and therapy services, Gurwin’s award-winning team can help. Contact us to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care
What’s the difference between home care and home health care?
Home care is the broader category, covering personal care, companionship, and household support. Home health care refers specifically to skilled medical services ordered by a physician, such as nursing care or physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Both can be provided in the home.
Does Medicare cover home care?
Medicare covers short-term, skilled home health care services when a person is homebound and a physician has ordered the care. This includes part-time nursing and rehabilitation therapy. Medicare generally does not cover custodial care, such as help with bathing or dressing, unless skilled care is also being received.
How is home care different from assisted living or a nursing home?
Home care allows a person to remain in their own home while receiving support. Assisted living and skilled nursing facilities provide residential care in a community setting. Home care tends to be a good fit for people who can safely live at home with some assistance; residential options may be more appropriate when medical needs are complex or 24/7 supervision is required.
Can home care delay the need for a nursing home?
Yes. By helping people manage health conditions, recover from illness or surgery, and remain safe at home, home care can delay or in some cases prevent the need for residential placement. It also supports family caregivers, reducing burnout.
