Table of contents:
- What Services Are Included in Skilled and Non-Skilled Home Care?
- Skilled Home Care
- Non-Skilled Home Care
- Skilled vs. Non-Skilled Home Care: Key Differences
- Consider Galaxy Home Care Your Trusted Companion
In the modern day, in-home services are fairly widespread. It’s true, in particular, for niches like skilled and non-skilled home care. Both imply a range of services delivered in an in-home or similar setting. Yet, they don’t actually refer to the quality of the provided care, but rather to the differences in the types of services they offer.
About 18.4% of Americans are covered by Medicare programs, which is a subtype of skilled care. In most cases, it is enough for the average US citizen to have valid insurance and be eligible for Medicare. It’s a part of the federal health program, applicable to those aged 65 or older. At the same time, non-skilled care is basically referring to any kind of non-medical service that can be delivered in an in-home setting.
In this article, we will discuss the key differences between skilled vs. non-skilled home care, so stick here.
What Services Are Included in Skilled and Non-Skilled Home Care?
Let’s take a look at services that are typically offered as per the concepts of skilled and non-skilled home care:
Skilled Home Care
It’s important to understand that skilled care, or Medicare, is only performed by qualified professionals or by family members under medical supervision. Skilled care is intended for people trying to cope with chronic conditions or disabilities or recovering from severe illness. This type of service is also designed for people in need of special care.
Here are several types of therapies and medical assistance that are delivered by skilled care services:
- Physical therapy — the type of activities focused on assisting individuals in restoring their normal body movement and physical functioning.
- Occupational therapy — the type of activities focused on minimizing physical, sensory, or cognitive problems and addressing emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
- Speech therapy — the type of activities focused on accessing and addressing speech disorders.
Another important aspect is that the care must be medically necessary. Typically, an attending physician should diagnose that a person as a homebound for Medicare services to be delivered under insurance coverage.
Non-Skilled Home Care
The difference between skilled vs. non-skilled home care mostly lies in the fact that non-skilled care is neither medical nor specialized. Non-skilled providers never handle infusion administering and other tasks requiring medical qualification.
Here is the approximate range of home care services that can be offered:
- Grooming
- Bathing
- Continence
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship
- Transportation
It’s worth mentioning that each of these services can still be delivered as a part of Medicare. For example, a person with special needs may need bathing or meal preparation. A disabled person usually needs transportation services. It’s just that medical and non-medical tasks should be related.
Skilled vs. Non-Skilled Home Care: Key Differences
Now, let’s proceed with checking on 5 crucial aspects that differentiate these two models of home care from each other:
| Factor | Skilled Home Care | Non-Skilled Home Care |
| #1: Recipient | Any homebound patient with insurance. For Medicare — any patient qualified as per the national program and aged 65 or older. | Anyone |
| #2: Caregiver | Authorized medical provider only. For Medicare — Medicare-certified medical provider. | Any non-medical yet trained professional in a particular field. |
| #3: Coverage | Frequently, the expenses are covered by insurance. | In absolutely any case, such services are delivered on a self-pay basis. |
| #4: Care focus | Only patient-centered medical care. | A broad range of services, each of which is client-centered and non-medical. |
| #5: Provider of services | Only specialized, certified home care agency. | Any non-medical home care agencies. |
So now you know the main distinctions between skilled vs. non-skilled home care, which should help you never to confuse the services. You can choose which better suits your needs and wisely decide whether you require skilled care in Brooklyn, NY, or any other location.
Consider Galaxy Home Care Your Trusted Companion
Galaxy Home Care is a certified medical provider of in-home care services. We deem our goal to enhance the life quality and life satisfaction of seniors and their families. We also offer rehabilitation services to people that struggle with chronic conditions or recover from surgeries.
Our team of licensed medical providers mainly specializes in the following:
- Assisting senior persons and helping them to live a prosperous, independent life for as long as possible.
- Providing care to those recovering from surgeries or illnesses.
- Helping people with disabilities to discover their full potential.
We deliver skilled care in Nassau County and Brooklyn, New York City. Galaxy Home Care has service lines of personal care, companion care, live-in care, homemaking, etc.
Contact us is as simple as giving us a call at 718-247-8300 or leaving your contact details via our website. Our support center will get back to you soon.