The first thing you’ll have to consider is whether your parent requires home healthcare or home care. But what is the difference between the two?

Home healthcare is one of many terms for assistance that includes limited medical support. This can include nursing care, health aides, and various types of therapy like occupational, physical, and speech. Usually, to qualify for home healthcare, an older adult will require an official doctor’s request. For instance, if leaving their home takes significant effort or they are dealing with a chronic condition, like diabetes, then that may require home healthcare. Home healthcare services are also typically offered for 60-day periods, though this can be shortened or extended depending on the supervising doctor’s advice. Among the many home healthcare specialists, the most common are therapists and nurses with different disciplines.

Meanwhile, home care is a non-medical form of assistance that is still deemed critical in many cases. In fact, a study by John Hopkins shows that about 25 million older Americans rely on some form of home care as they age in place. Because home care doesn’t necessarily require sensitive medical intervention, qualifying for this service doesn’t require a doctor’s request. The length of home care service can also be a little more flexible, and the terms can be determined between the home care provider and the patient.