Understanding Home Care Services
What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How It Helps Your Family
If you're exploring care for the first time, the term "home care" can feel vague or overwhelming. At CareReach, we believe families deserve clarity — not confusion — when planning support for a loved one.
This guide breaks down what non-medical home care really means, what services are included, and how it fits into the care journey.
What Is Home Care?
Home care is non-medical assistance provided in a person’s own home to help them remain safe, comfortable, and independent.
It includes day-to-day help with:
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Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)
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Meal planning and preparation
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Medication reminders
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Light housekeeping and laundry
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Transportation and errands
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Companionship and social engagement
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Mobility support and fall prevention
Care is delivered by trained Home Care Aides (HCAs) who are supervised by a licensed Home Care Organization (HCO) — like CareReach.
How Is Home Care Different from Home Health?
It’s important to know the difference:
Home Care (what we provide)
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Non-medical support
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Focus on daily living & safety
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Provided by trained HCAs
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No doctor’s order required
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Billed privately or via Long Term Care Insurance
Home Health (medical care)
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Clinical services prescribed by a doctor
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Focus on recovery & rehabilitation
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Provided by nurses, therapists, aides
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Requires a doctor’s order
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Often covered by Medicare or insurance
We often work alongside home health teams, providing continued support between medical visits.
Who Can Benefit from Home Care?
Home care is for anyone who wants to age at home with dignity — not just those with medical needs.
Seniors needing regular assistance with daily activities
Individuals with chronic conditions or mobility limitations
Families who want a consistent caregiver presence
Clients recovering from surgery or illness with extended needs
FAQS about:
Understanding Home Care
✔ Yes — and it often works best that way. Home Health provides short-term medical care (like wound care or physical therapy), usually a few times per week. Home care fills the gap between those visits, offering daily support with bathing, meals, transportation, medication reminders, and more.
✔ Hospice teams focus on medical comfort and pain management — but they can’t always stay for extended periods. CareReach provides non-medical support alongside hospice, like helping your loved one reposition, preparing meals, offering companionship, and simply being present when families need rest.
✔ No. Home care is non-medical, so it does not require a physician’s referral. You can begin services at any time based on your loved one’s needs.
✔ Absolutely. Many families use home care for respite, coverage during work hours, or just a few hours of relief per day. You’re still the primary decision-maker — we’re here to support you, not replace you.
✔ Home care is flexible. You can increase or reduce hours, pause care temporarily, or adjust services based on your loved one’s condition. We’ll check in regularly and update the plan as needed.
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