What's the Difference? Home Health, Outpatient & Home Care
It can be difficult to understand the care you or your loved one may need after a major medical event or a new diagnosis, but your healthcare provider can help determine what, if any, services may be appropriate depending on your needs. Read below about some of the key differences between Home Health, Outpatient Therapy, and Home Care services.
EvergreenHealth offers skilled home health services for people throughout King and Snohomish counties, along with outpatient therapy services in Kirkland, Kenmore and Monroe. EvergreenHealth does not offer home care services (in-home, non-medical assistance with activities of daily living, companionship and more), although sometimes people who receive home health services may concurrently utilize private duty home care.
Sometimes those who qualify will start with home health services and then continue receiving therapy at an outpatient clinic once their mobility is improved. Our team can help you determine what may be best for you.
What Do Home Health, Outpatient Therapy & Home Care Mean?
| Features |
Home Health |
Outpatient Therapy |
Home Care |
| Description |
Short term, intermittent skilled care for homebound individuals |
Therapy for medically stable individuals who can visit therapy clinic |
In-home, non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) |
| Services |
Skilled nursing and wound care as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy |
Therapy services only like physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy |
Non-clinical services like personal care, errands, transportation and nutrition |
| Location |
Wherever home is |
Usually done in an outpatient clinic, gym, or private practice |
Wherever home is |
| Structure |
One-on-one care between home health clinician and patient occurs in the home (including adult family homes, assisted and memory care communities, etc.) |
May be done one-on-one, in a group, or therapists conducting concurrent therapy sessions at their practice |
Individual caregivers are hired, usually part time for a minimum of two hours at a time, up to 24-hour care |
