Home Care vs Home Health Care in Las Vegas: What’s the Difference and Which One Does Your Loved One Need?

When families begin looking for care in Las Vegas, one of the first questions they run into is the difference between home care and home health care. Both happen inside the home. Both support seniors. Both help improve safety and comfort. But each service serves a very different purpose, and choosing the wrong one can leave gaps in care.

This short guide explains the difference in a clear and simple way so you can choose the right type of support for your loved one.

What Is Home Care?

Home care is non-medical assistance that helps seniors remain independent at home. It focuses on daily activities and personal support rather than medical treatment. Home care is ideal for seniors who want to stay at home but need help with tasks they can no longer manage on their own.

Common services in Las Vegas include:

• Bathing, dressing, and grooming

• Mobility support and transfers

• Light housekeeping

• Meal preparation

• Medication reminders

• Transportation

• Companionship

• Safety supervision

• Errands and shopping

• Early-stage memory support

Home care is ongoing and flexible. It adapts as your loved one’s needs change, and it can be scheduled for a few hours a week or several hours each day.

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care is medical care provided at home by licensed professionals. It is ordered by a doctor and is usually short-term. This type of care helps seniors recover from injuries, surgeries, illnesses, or hospital stays.

Home health care services can include:

• Skilled nursing

• Wound care

• Medication administration

• Vital sign monitoring

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

• Chronic condition management

Medicare often covers home health care if it is medically necessary.

The Main Difference

Home care helps with daily living.

Home health care provides medical treatment.

Home care maintains independence and quality of life.

Home health care helps seniors recover and stay medically stable.

Some seniors use one. Many use both.

How to Know Which One Your Loved One Needs

Your loved one likely needs home care if they struggle with:

• Cooking or cleaning

• Bathing or dressing

• Medication reminders

• Social interaction

• Mobility or fall risk

• Memory loss

Your loved one likely needs home health care if they need:

• Nursing care

• Rehab or therapy

• Wound care

• Monitoring after hospitalization

• Help managing chronic illness

Often, the safest and most effective plan combines both types of care. Therapy and medical treatment from home health care, plus daily support from home care.

Cost Differences in Las Vegas

Home care usually costs $28 to $40 per hour and is paid privately.

Home health care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance, but only when ordered by a doctor.

Home care is long-term support.

Home health care is short-term medical recovery.