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What Is Home-Based Care?
Date Updated: December 9, 2024
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Home-based care is the delivery of support services in a senior’s private residence. Home care agencies provide nonmedical assistance with personal care and everyday tasks around the home, while home health care agencies deliver professional clinical and therapeutic services. In-home care enables seniors to safely age in place.
Home Care vs. Home Health Care
Home care aides assist seniors with daily nonmedical tasks and companionship. Their services typically include:
- Household chores like cleaning and laundry
- Running errands such as grocery shopping
- Personal care tasks - bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring
- Local transportation
- Companionship and socialization
Home health care provides temporary medical and rehabilitative services in the home setting. This type of care allows seniors to recover from illness, injury or surgery, as well as manage chronic conditions. A home health team consists of:
- Nurses
- Certified nursing assistants
- Therapists (physical, occupational, etc.)
- Medical social workers
- Dietitians
Services are provided under a doctor's supervision and may include:
- Skilled nursing (wound care, IV therapy, etc.)
- Medication management
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Meal planning and nutritional counseling
Costs of Home-Based Care
Exact care costs depend on the services required, the number of daily service hours and location. According to Genworth Financial, the median hourly cost of in-home care across the United States stands at $30 as of 2024. In comparison, the national median home health care rate runs to $33. However, prices vary significantly between different cities and states. For example, median rates reach $45 in New Mexico, $37 in Oregon, $34 in Nebraska and only $23 in Texas.
Payment options for home-based care include self-pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits and Medicaid — often via Home and Community-Based Services Waiver programs. Medicare only pays for limited nonmedical home care services in narrow situations. For home health care, individuals may qualify for Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Other options for home health care include using private funds, VA benefits and long-term care insurance.