Definition of Personal Home Care

Personal home care is a broad term used to describe any type of individual care in the home.

Personal home care is typically defined as any type of home-based care (medical or nonmedical) for disabled, handicapped, chronically ill or convalescing individuals. Personal home care is often chosen over placement in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Features

Individuals who perform personal home care may assist individuals with their activities of daily living, which may include everything from showering and using the toilet to preparing meals and performing light housework. Personal home care may also be medical and include such things as blood pressure checks and dispensing of medication.

Personnel Titles

Personal home care workers may also be referred to as home health aides, personal care aides and home care aides.

Personnel Training/Certification

Most personal home care workers are not required to have a specific level of education; however, individuals who receive reimbursements through Medicare or Medicaid must have a minimum amount of training. In addition, personal home care employees may receive national certification through the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: "Home Health Aides and Personal and Home Care Aides"

Resources

• Caring.com: "In Home Care Directory"