Understanding Home Care

Let’s start by defining what home care is. There are two primary types of services tailored to meet specific needs.

Why Choose Home Care?

Most older adults prefer staying in their own homes, with 86% expressing a desire to age in place. In-home care offers critical support to achieve this goal, particularly when facing challenges like loneliness, reduced mobility, memory loss, or managing daily tasks.

Sometimes, the need for extra help becomes clear over time. But often, it happens all at once. Recognizing these signs isn’t about taking away independence—it’s about preserving it with the right kind of support. Whether you’re noticing changes in a loved one—or in yourself—here are some signs that it may be time for a helping hand:

Unopened mail or unpaid bills
Feeling overwhelmed by managing daily tasks like paying bills or responding to mail.

Social withdrawal
Mobility challenges, memory loss, or hearing difficulties can make it harder to stay engaged, leading to loneliness and isolation.

Loss of interest in meals
Cooking for one, grief, or physical limitations can lead to skipping meals or poor nutrition.

Changes in personal hygiene
Unkempt hair, body odor, or wearing the same clothes for days could indicate difficulty with self-care.

Declining driving skills
Unexplained dents, traffic tickets, or hesitation behind the wheel might be signs of unsafe driving.

Scorched pots and pans
Forgetting to turn off the stove could signal memory concerns.

Signs of depression
Lack of interest in hobbies, trouble sleeping, or withdrawing from family and friends may indicate emotional distress.

Missing appointments
Forgetfulness or lack of reliable transportation can lead to skipped commitments.

Messy or neglected home
Difficulty keeping up with household tasks may be due to fatigue, mobility challenges, or depression.

Trouble managing medications
Keeping track of multiple prescriptions can be confusing and may lead to missed doses or medication mix-ups.

In-Home Care

In-Home Care can be the perfect solution in a number of different situations, including for someone recovering from an illness or surgery, as a supplement to medical care. It can also be perfect for someone who simply needs help with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and getting around.

Support is important for emotional well-being, too. The loss of a spouse, for example, can lead to loneliness and depression, which can take a toll on health. A widower struggling with forgetfulness might not just miss bills—he might forget to take his medications.

Enhancing Lives

The right care goes beyond physical support—it's about meaningful connections, engaging conversations, and one-on-one interactions. Engaging activities like gardening, baking, or simply enjoying companionship on outings help maintain mental sharpness and emotional well-being.

Many older adults benefit from gentle daily support, such as assistance with showering, meals, and medication reminders. Evening and overnight care can also ease anxiety, particularly for those with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia.

Quality in-home care providers carefully match caregivers to individual needs, ensuring consistent support whether at home or in a care community.

Because great care isn’t just about where you live—it’s about how you live.

Paying for In-Home Care

There are several ways to pay for in-home care, and it’s important to explore all options. Start by checking if the individual has a long-term care insurance policy, qualifies for Veterans benefits, or has a Medicare Advantage plan that covers in-home care. If these options aren’t available, care can also be paid for privately by the older adult and/or their family.

With 70% of adults over 65 needing some form of assistance at some point, the demand for care is growing.* But beyond necessity, personal preference matters. If home is where someone feels happiest and most comfortable, investing in the right support can be invaluable—helping them maintain their independence and quality of life.

Home Health Care

In the past, a medical crisis often meant leaving home for good. But today, even those living with chronic conditions or serious illnesses can remain safer at home with the right care. Advances in technology, medical equipment, and home health care services have made it possible for older adults to continue living where they feel most comfortable.

Home health care agencies provide licensed medical professionals who can deliver a wide range of skilled services right in an older adult’s home, which is ideal as recovering at home can often be a better experience. For example, individuals with dementia may feel more secure and less disoriented in a familiar environment.

When Home Care Can Make a Difference

Paying for Home Health Care

Medicare and private insurance may cover certain medical services such as nursing visits, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. If an older adult is discharged from a hospital, Medicare may pay for home-based nursing care and therapy—but only when prescribed by a healthcare provider as part of a care plan.

A Team Approach to Care

In-home care and home health care can work together, providing a well-rounded support system for older adults. While both services focus on safety, well-being, and healing, each plays a distinct role in the care journey.

A licensed medical professional—such as a nurse or therapist—provides short-term, specialized medical care, like wound care or rehabilitation after surgery. In contrast, an in-home caregiver offers ongoing, personalized support, helping with daily activities, providing companionship, and building a trusted relationship over time.

For example, an older adult recovering from heart surgery may receive visits from a nurse to monitor their health while also relying on an in-home caregiver for help with meals, mobility, and daily routines. Together, this team approach ensures they can recover safely and comfortably at home.