Domiciliary Care as a service focuses on caring for patients that are in need. The service takes place at the safety and familiarity of the client’s own abode. With assistance from the carer, the patient can gain their confidence and independence back. 

However, there is some confusion over Home caregivers and home health services. And understandably so. People only know that you can hire someone who can take care of their loved one in their stead. But not much in the way of understanding the difference between the two.

So today, we’ll talk about Home Caregivers and Home Health Aids to clarify which among them 

Home Caregiver

Caregivers do not require certification for them to render their services. Their duties stem from providing personal care, medication management, meal preparation, housekeeping to providing companionship and social interaction.

A list of responsibilities a caregiver has are as follows. 

• Cleaning and grooming

• Laundry

• Errands and Food Preparation

• Housekeeping Activities

• Medication Management

• Assisting in Mobility

• Companionship

While most caregivers do not require any certifications in order to carry out their services, they most likely have taken courses pertaining to improving communication and skills, what to do in an emergency, and personal hygiene maintenance. 

Home Health Aid

Home Health Aids on the other hand, require certifications. Acquiring these means getting training and licensing. Home health aides work under the supervision of a nurse or other healthcare professionals and as such, their responsibilities go further beyond a bit further to provide medical assistance as well. Something that a caregiver would not typically have the training for.

While the responsibilities of the two sound similar, Home Health Aids may not perform duties such as: 

• Cleaning and Housekeeping

• Running Errands

• Non-Medical Support 

• Meal Preparations

  
  

In summary, the primary difference lies in the medical training and scope of duties: HHAs provide medical care and require certification, while caregivers offer non-medical support and do not need formal training. Understanding these distinctions helps in making informed decisions about the type of care most suited to your loved one's needs.