Understanding Different Types of Homecare Services: Medical vs. Non-Medical

February 8, 2024

As families explore homecare options for their senior loved ones in Pittsburgh, understanding the distinctions between medical and non-medical services is crucial for making informed decisions that best meet their unique needs. At At Home Senior Services, we aim to provide clarity on these two distinct types of homecare, empowering families with the knowledge to choose the most appropriate care for their loved ones.

Medical Homecare Services:

Medical homecare services are designed to address the healthcare needs of seniors with complex medical conditions or those requiring skilled nursing care. These services are typically delivered by licensed healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), or certified nursing assistants (CNAs), under the supervision of a physician. Medical homecare services may include:

Skilled Nursing Care: Skilled nursing services encompass a range of specialized healthcare tasks, including wound care, medication management, intravenous (IV) therapy, catheter care, and administering injections. Skilled nurses are trained to assess, monitor, and manage the health status of seniors, collaborating with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive care plans tailored to their specific needs.
Therapy Services: Therapy services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, may be provided in the home setting to help seniors regain or maintain their functional abilities and independence. Therapists work closely with seniors to develop personalized treatment plans aimed at improving mobility, strength, balance, communication, and cognitive skills.
Medical Equipment Management: Medical homecare services may involve the management and utilization of medical equipment and supplies, such as oxygen therapy equipment, mobility aids, hospital beds, and wound care supplies. Skilled healthcare professionals ensure that equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and utilized safely to meet the medical needs of seniors.

Non-Medical Homecare Services:

Non-medical homecare services focus on providing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to support seniors in maintaining their independence and quality of life. These services are delivered by trained caregivers who provide compassionate, non-medical assistance tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each client. Non-medical homecare services may include:

Personal Care Assistance: Personal care services encompass assistance with basic ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and oral hygiene. Caregivers provide respectful and dignified support to help seniors with tasks that may become challenging due to age, illness, or mobility limitations.
Companion Care: Companion care services focus on providing emotional support, companionship, and social interaction to combat loneliness and isolation among seniors. Caregivers engage seniors in meaningful conversations, activities, outings, and hobbies, fostering a sense of connection, purpose, and joy in their lives.
Homemaking Services: Homemaking services involve assistance with IADLs, such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and running errands. Caregivers help seniors maintain a clean, safe, and organized living environment, allowing them to focus on enjoying their daily activities and pursuits.

By understanding the differences between medical and non-medical homecare services, families can make informed decisions that align with their loved one’s specific needs, preferences, and healthcare requirements. At At Home Senior Services, we offer a comprehensive range of both medical and non-medical homecare services tailored to meet the diverse needs of seniors in Pittsburgh. Whether your loved one requires skilled nursing care, therapy services, personal care assistance, or companion care, our team of dedicated professionals is here to provide compassionate support that enhances their quality of life and promotes independence and well-being.

Posted in Caregivers, Homecare Services

At Home Senior Services | Senior Home Care Pittsburgh

4.9

Based on 27 reviews

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Lynn Moran

12:51 03 Jul 22

I needed help with my husband and At Home Senior Services was recommended by a visiting nurse. I was very pleased with everyone I dealt with. The girl that came to help was friendly and experienced. She was a great help to me and my husband. I was very pleased with the service I received.

Joe A

16:09 30 Mar 22

We had a great experience with At Home Senior Services for the care of my mother. Because of the caregivers, my mom was able to stay at her apartment and keep her independence. They helped her with meals, personal care, cleaning, and driving to doctor appointments. The last caregiver she had, Ayana, was a great fit, very responsible, and my mom enjoyed her company. She was proactive in the care, communicated well and was on top of my mother’s needs. Mattie in the front office was extremely helpful, responsive to our needs, and made the care and communication run smoothly. With the shortage of workers, there was turnover in caregivers, but I was kept updated. The owners, Mary Jo and David were professional, supervised the overall care, updated me on key items and were very welcoming.

t conlon

14:38 14 Mar 22

We had a wonderful experience working with everyone with At Home Senior Services. We highly recommend them.

Samuel Foster

14:28 21 Sep 21

If you have a loved one who needs in home senior services you need to call this company. Mary Jo, the owner, will come out and sit in your living room. She wants to understand exactly what the situation is so she gets the "right person" in place. I was concerned my Aunt would not accept a stranger in her house, but from the first day Clara did not feel like a stranger. Mary Jo, and David have reached out to me several time to make sure I was happy, and I have made it clear this whole experience could not have been any better. The other services I researched were large companies with multiple offices. This is a local company, and it is absolutely clear to me they care, and take the responsibility of providing quality services to seniors very personal. I highly recommend At Home Senior Service to any one who is trying to keep a senior loved one in their home and maintain their independence.

Ralph Morrow

23:37 17 Aug 21

At Home has been a terrific help to both my father and mother to help them age in place at their house. Dutch and Joellen were great.

Valerie Sylvester

20:03 17 Aug 21

At Home provided us a fantastic home aid. Our aid is reliable, compassionate and kind. Overall this organization has been great working with us in a difficult time for our family

Jennifer Lutz

19:14 16 Jun 21

Our family was so pleased and grateful for the caregiver we were connected with through At Home Senior Services. She was kind, patient, consistent and very helpful. Thanks to her and At Home Senior Services our mother was able to stay at home longer than we expected.

Jack Bonus

15:22 25 Mar 21

Great Company run by truly caring people.I used their services while recovering from back surgery and was impressed by the kindness of the caregiver they sent me.

Mattie Trella

12:18 17 Mar 21

What a wonderful agency! This agency has some of the best employees around! Honest, hardworking and dedicated are a few words to describe them. The owners are sure to hire good people to care for your loved one and will not just schedule anyone, they make sure the employee is a good fit. At Home has awesome clients who are more like family than just individuals utilizing our services. The office is welcoming and the staff are always there to help wherever and whenever. I am so blessed to get the opportunity to work alongside some of the best in the industry and look forward to the future with the company.

Marjorie Anderson

06:12 01 Feb 21

This agency has been immensely helpful in caring for my mother. The owners are very friendly and were always available when I called. They were able to set my mother up with a caregiver right away. The caregiver was extremely competent and very caring. My mother’s needs were met and even anticipated. I have already recommended this agency to another family and will not hesitate to do so again.

Karen Morw

03:05 19 Jan 21

💚At Home Senior Services is professional, organized, and compassionate. A mom and pop agency that truly cares for the well-being and health of your loved one- something you do not get from franchise agencies. I cannot say anything but great things about the company! 💚

Joel Carroll

22:48 16 Jan 21

I've been working for Mary Jo & David for only a little over a month and it has been a very pleasant experience. They are real heart people who attract great clients! And, they happily work with me and my schedule as I balance several companies that I work to patch together a full time career in the ever changing elder care field.

Alicia Steele

01:03 22 Sep 20

At Home Services is an excellent provider of in-home healthcare services for my elderly father-in-law.Our in-home healthcare team is professional, compassionate and caring; very reliable and engaging.We have great communication with the entire At Home Services team. We would not be able to keep my father-in-law at home without this great service provider.

Ann Amorose

19:19 16 Jul 20

At Home Senior Services is a great organization with caring people. They took care of my Mom for just about 2 years. They are extremely flexible as we had to change care levels several times and they always came through.

Annette Clements

13:03 16 Jul 20

I was happy to use a local provider to help with care for my grandmother after a fall and hospitalization. Staying in her home is important to her and she does not like to need extra help. Meeting with Mary Jo and getting to know the ladies that help my grandma was so helpful. They never make her feel like she not doing something right. They are like a friendly visit even though they are doing important things for her. They have been kind and flexible and updated me when something is off. I appreciate this team and their dedication to my grandmother.

lindsay morrow

15:12 03 Jul 20

This company is top of the line. What makes them different is the quality of the caregivers. They do not just hire anyone that walks in the door... they want your loved one to be in the best care possible. Highly recommend!

Robert Shockey

21:50 30 Jun 20

At Home Senior Services has earned my highest commendation! They performed extraordinarily and gave service above-and-beyond my high expectations.Their caregiver literally became a family member, who my father came to trust and love. Their business practices and responsiveness are outstanding. They stood out as much better than all other options considered.In summary, I don't believe you could have a better partner in caring for elderly or disabled family members.

Carrie Todd

22:40 11 Mar 20

The team was very committed to helping my mom get the best care in her home. Our feedback was welcome and addressed in a professional manner. I am grateful to Mary Jo and staff for the care of my mom and the advice given to us from start to finish. I highly recommend At Home Senior Services!

J R

20:31 14 Mar 19

Sonia cared for our family members with dignity and respect. We highly recommend her!

dennis morabito

21:39 13 Feb 19

We have been with At Home Senior Services for over ten years and have been very satisfied with the home care personnel they have provided. In fact, several of the caregivers have become lasting friends. They have all treated my (now) 96-year-old mother with kindness and respect, and often look for additional ways to help out during their service period. The administrative folks have always tried to make sure service is seamless when a particular caregiver is no longer able to attend to my mother. We have developed a relationship of mutual cooperation which makes the transitions easy. I would not hesitate to recommend At Home Senior Services to anyone in need of caregiver help for seniors.

steve allen

11:52 06 Feb 19

All of the people were extremely attentive to our needs. Very caring

peggi p

16:04 04 Nov 18

The staff and the dedication of the care for their customers is just speechless! At Home Senior Services are always there when you need them. They work very well with you on placing a care giver that meets YOUR NEEDS and WANTS!!! I could not ask or imagine better care that are family receives from them. They offer things that you may need to help you and your family or friend to make their at home care more pleasant than you knew was even out there! There's not place like home, and At Home Senior Services do just that! Thank you Mary Jo, David, Melissa, and to all of your staff for everything you do. If I myself ever need At Home care, I will be making that call for your help and compassion.

Rachel Carey

14:48 07 Aug 18

I have worked here for over 3 years. The nurse who owns the business is incredibly knowledgeable and assists each senior she meets with in making the right choice for their unique circumstance. Additionally, our caregivers get paid top rates - we have caregivers who have been with this company for over a decade! The tenure of our caregivers speaks to the quality of the management team.

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