Skilled vs. non-medical home care: what’s the difference?

When families start looking for help at home, one of the first questions is: do we need a nurse, or do we need a caregiver? The answer depends on the kind of help your loved one needs day to day. Many people end up using both.

What is skilled home care?

Skilled care is provided by licensed professionals, such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and physical or occupational therapists. It usually follows a plan of care and focuses on health needs, for example:

• Wound care and dressing changes
• Checking vital signs and watching for changes in health
• Teaching about a new diagnosis or new medications
• Physical therapy to rebuild strength, balance and walking
• Occupational therapy to relearn daily tasks safely

Skilled care is often needed after a hospital stay, a surgery, a fall, or when a health condition changes.

What is non-medical home care?

Non-medical care, sometimes called personal care or companion care, is help with the routines of daily life. Trained caregivers and aides help with things like:

• Bathing, grooming and dressing
• Cooking meals and help at mealtime
• Light housekeeping, laundry and errands
• Companionship, conversation and getting out of the house
• Respite, so family caregivers can rest

Non-medical care helps people stay safe, comfortable and independent at home, often for months or years.

How do I know which one we need?

A simple way to think about it:

• If the need is about health, such as a wound, therapy, or monitoring a condition, skilled care is likely needed.
• If the need is about daily living, such as bathing, meals, safety or loneliness, non-medical care is a good fit.
• If it is both, the two can work together. For example, a nurse visits for wound care while a caregiver helps with meals and bathing between visits.

Your loved one’s doctor can also help you decide what kind of care makes sense.

We can help you decide

Pathway Home Care offers both skilled and non-medical care in the Oklahoma City area. During a free consultation, we listen, look at the whole picture, and recommend the right mix of care, without pressure.

Request a free consultationCall (405) 868-6143

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a doctor about your loved one’s specific health needs.