People often use these terms interchangeably because both are provided in a home setting, but they are distinct services. The key difference is that “home health” is clinical care, and “home care” (also called “custodial care” or “senior care”) is non-clinical care. Home health care is delivered as part of a physician’s care plan, such as recovering from a surgery, rehabbing from an injury, or learning new skills to adapt to a significant change in health status. Home care, on the other hand, involves support for daily living activities and/or personal care.

There are nuances, and there are situations where a person might make use of both services, but these are the basic differences between the two.


All Saints offers both home health and home care services. See our home services here. For information on health care, visit the All Saints Health Care website.