Understanding In-Home Care: A Caregiver’s Introduction

Types of In-Home Care

The four main categories of in-home care services are Private Duty, Home Health, Palliative Care, and Hospice. While each serves a different purpose, they can sometimes overlap, which can make things confusing at first.

Private Duty

Private Duty usually refers to “non-medical” services such as the following, which non-licensed caregivers provide:

• Medication reminders
• Bathing assistance
• Morning and evening care (grooming and dressing)
• Transportation
• Help with laundry, meal preparation, errand-running, and more

But there is also a category of Private Duty that includes medical care provided by a licensed nurse, such as:

• Medication set-ups and administration
• Injections
• Wellness checks
• Help with feeding tubes

Private Duty services are not covered by Medicare or Private insurance, though some long-term care policies may cover them.

Home Health

The Home Health category includes licensed medical services provided by registered nurses or licensed therapists. Skilled nursing care, wound care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and palliative care are all examples of Home Health care. Home Health is 100% covered by Medicare Part A if specific requirements are met.

While Home Health care is generally short-term and focused on recovery after an illness or injury, Palliative Care provides ongoing support for people living with serious health conditions.

Palliative Care

Palliative Care focuses on improving quality of life for people with serious or chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, COPD, cancer, or dementia, at any stage of their condition. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be provided alongside treatments that aim to cure or manage a disease.

Services often include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional and spiritual support for patients and families
• Coordination between doctors, nurses, and specialists
• Guidance on treatment options and goals of care

Palliative Care may be provided in your home or a care setting, and is typically covered by Medicare and most private insurance when ordered by a physician.

Providence Palliative Care offers compassionate, holistic support for individuals and families navigating complex health challenges, helping them find comfort, peace, and strength through every stage of illness.

​​​​​Hospice

Hospice services are available to people who face a six-month prognosis, although services can be declined if a situation changes and recovery becomes possible. The purpose of hospice is to ease physical pain and help a person prepare for the end of life. You can receive hospice care in your own home, in the home of a family member, or in a care facility. The Hospice Benefit covers all costs associated with visits from your:

• Hospice physician
• Hospice nurse
• CNA
• Social worker
• Chaplain

The benefit also covers any durable medical equipment you might need — wheelchair, oxygen, commode, etc. — and all medications related to your hospice diagnosis.

The spiritual and emotional support offered by Providence Hospice and Palliative Care has been a significant blessing to hundreds of families, many of whom have shared heartfelt testimonials with our care staff.

Help for Caregivers

If you are caring for a parent or spouse, you can take advantage of in-home services to supplement the care you provide, or to give yourself an occasional break. 

If you find it increasingly difficult to get your loved one out of the house, they may qualify for Medicare-covered Home Health or Palliative care.

You can ask your loved one’s physician for a prescription, or contact Providence At Home for a free evaluation.

From our offices in Illinois, Providence At Home serves hundreds of communities, offering peace of mind to people who need a little extra help at home.

And when it’s time for the next stage of care, Providence Hospice is here with compassionate, faith-based support focused on comfort, dignity, and peace. Our hospice team helps families navigate the end of life with grace and understanding.

You don’t need to know exactly what services you need or what coverage you qualify for — just call our 800 number and we’ll walk you through the process: 800-509-2800.

Our team is here to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and help you find the care that feels right for your family.