Short answer: “home health” is skilled, medical care ordered by a doctor and delivered by licensed professionals (like nurses and therapists). “Home care” is non-medical help with everyday living, bathing, dressing, meals, and companionship, provided by caregivers or home health aides. The names sound almost identical, which is why families mix them up. The difference comes down to one question: is the help medical or not?

Many families end up using a little of both. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Home health (skilled, medical care)

Home health is clinical care you receive at home instead of in a clinic or hospital. It’s directed by a physician and provided by licensed professionals. Typical services include:

Skilled nursing, wound care, injections, IV or catheter care, medication management, and monitoring a health condition.
Physical, occupational, or speech therapy, to recover strength, mobility, or function after an illness, surgery, or hospital stay.
Patient and family education, teaching you to manage a new diagnosis, medication, or device safely.

Home health is usually short-term and goal-oriented (for example, recovering after a hospital discharge) and requires a doctor’s order and plan of care.

Home care (non-medical personal care)

Home care, sometimes called personal care, custodial care, or companion care, is non-medical support with the activities of daily living. It helps someone stay safe and comfortable at home over the long term. Typical help includes:

Personal care, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility assistance.
Everyday support, light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, and reminders.
Companionship, conversation, activities, and a friendly, reliable presence.

Home care usually does not require a doctor’s order and can continue for as long as it’s helpful. It’s about quality of life and daily wellbeing rather than treating a medical condition.

Side-by-side comparison

	Home Health	Home Care
Type of care	Skilled / medical	Non-medical / personal
Who provides it	Nurses, therapists, licensed clinicians	Caregivers, home health aides, companions
Doctor’s order needed?	Yes, physician-directed plan of care	No
Common tasks	Wound care, medication management, therapy, monitoring	Bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, companionship
Typical duration	Usually short-term and goal-based	Ongoing, as long as it helps
How it’s often paid	Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance when you qualify	Usually private pay; some long-term care insurance or Medi-Cal programs

Who needs which?

Home health may be the right fit when:

Someone is recovering after a hospital stay, surgery, or illness and needs nursing or therapy at home.
There’s a wound, new medication, or medical device to manage.
A doctor has recommended skilled care to prevent a return to the hospital.

Home care may be the right fit when:

Someone is generally stable medically but needs help with daily living to stay safe at home.
A family caregiver needs respite or reliable, ongoing support.
The main goal is comfort, dignity, and companionship rather than treating a condition.

And often, families need both. Someone recovering from surgery might receive skilled nursing (home health) for a few weeks and daily personal care (home care) to help with bathing and meals during recovery. You don’t have to sort this out alone, a good agency will help you understand what fits.

How each is paid for

Home health is often covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance when you meet the eligibility rules (for Medicare, that includes being homebound and needing part-time or intermittent skilled care). For details, see our guide, Does Medicare Cover Home Health in California?
Home care is most often paid privately (out of pocket). Some people use long-term care insurance, and certain Medi-Cal programs or veterans’ benefits may help with personal care for those who qualify. Coverage depends on your specific plan and situation.

Because the funding is so different, knowing which category you need is the first step toward understanding what it will cost.

Frequently asked questions

Is "home care" the same as "home health"?

No. Home health is skilled, medical care ordered by a doctor and delivered by licensed professionals. Home care is non-medical help with daily living, like bathing, meals, and companionship.

Does home care require a doctor's order?

Generally no. Non-medical personal care and companionship don’t require a physician’s order. Skilled home health care does require a doctor’s order and plan of care.

Can I receive both at the same time?

Yes. Many families combine skilled home health (for example, nursing or therapy during recovery) with home care (help with bathing, dressing, and meals). We can help you coordinate what you need.

Will Medicare pay for home care?

Medicare’s home health benefit generally does not pay for personal care or companionship when that’s the only help you need. It may cover a home health aide only when it’s part of a plan that also includes qualifying skilled care.

Home Health vs. Home Care: What's the Difference?