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What Is Non-Skilled Home Care?
Date Updated: December 6, 2024
Written by:
With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
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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.
Non-skilled home care empowers seniors to remain independent with support as needed. It includes nonmedical care from caregivers who don't have a nursing license. They assist with activities of daily living, including bathing and dressing, and often help with household tasks, such as cleaning.
How Does Skilled Home Care Differ From Non-Skilled Home Care?
Skilled home care delivers medically necessary services, such as injections, intravenous therapy and wound care. Non-skilled home care doesn't include medical services. Only registered nurses and other medical providers perform skilled home care, while family caregivers and other unlicensed individuals provide non-skilled home care. Talk to your loved one's health care provider to develop a plan for skilled and non-skilled home care based on their needs.
How Much Does Non-Skilled Home Care Cost?
As of 2024, non-skilled home care costs an average of $5,720 per month for homemaker services and $6,292 for home health aide care. The Genworth Cost of Care survey estimates these costs based on an average of 44 hours of in-home care per week. Home health aides provide "hands-on" personal care, such as help with grooming and other activities of daily living, which accounts for the higher cost of this type of help. Homemakers only provide "hands-off" assistance with household tasks, such as cooking.
Medicare doesn't typically pay for non-skilled home care, although some Medicare Advantage plans provide some coverage. However, Medicaid covers non-skilled home care in many states. Programs vary by state, but coverage often includes meal delivery, housekeeping, transportation and help with activities of daily living. Check with the Medicaid office in your state to learn more about available waiver programs to pay for home care.
When Do Seniors Need Non-Skilled Home Care?
Seniors need non-skilled home care when they develop challenges that make it difficult to do certain things. This type of care benefits people with a disability or chronic illness that affects their abilities. Non-skilled home care also provides support during surgical recovery.
If you care for a parent or loved one, pay attention to signs that they could benefit from non-skilled home care, such as:
- Clutter or mess in their home
- Difficulty with personal grooming
- Unexplained weight loss
- Confusion about how or when to take prescribed medications
- Inability to get around the neighborhood or drive safely
Non-skilled home care supports individuals who experience some of these challenges but want to remain independent and age in place. These services often supplement care provided by family caregivers.