Guide · Reviewed September 29, 2026
Home care vs home health care: the difference
The short answer
Home care is non-medical help at home, such as company, meals and help with bathing and dressing. Home health care is medical care from a licensed professional, such as a nurse or physical therapist.1 In California they are different licenses: the Department of Social Services licenses home care organizations, and the Department of Public Health licenses home health agencies.23
Side by side
| Home care (non-medical) | Home health care (medical) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Companion care, personal care and help around the home.1 | Skilled care such as wound care, injections and physical therapy from a licensed health professional.1 |
| Who provides it in California | A Home Care Organization licensed by the Department of Social Services, with registered Home Care Aides.2 | A home health agency licensed by the Department of Public Health, with certified home health aides.34 |
| Does Medicare pay? | Not when personal care is the only care needed.5 | Yes for covered skilled care, if a doctor certifies it and you are homebound.5 |
| How to look up the license | Care Facility Search | Cal Health Find, from the Department of Public Health.3 |
The words on the license are different too
The State of California licenses non-medical agencies as Home Care Organizations. The caregivers they employ must be registered Home Care Aides. A home health aide is a different credential: the Department of Public Health certifies home health aides and nurse assistants.4
Rate cards in our directory cover non-medical home care only.
Which do you need
If the need is company, supervision, meals, and help with daily activities, that is home care. If a doctor has ordered nursing or therapy at home, that is home health care. Some families use both. See does Medicare cover home care.
See what licensed agencies near you charge
Every licensed agency in Los Angeles County is listed, A to Z. Rate cards appear as agencies sign them.
Find licensed agenciesCommon questions
Is a home care aide the same as a home health aide?
No. In California a Home Care Aide is registered with the Department of Social Services and works for a licensed Home Care Organization. A home health aide is certified by the Department of Public Health.24
Can a home care agency give medication or nursing care?
Home care is non-medical help. Wound care, injections and therapy are home health care, given by a licensed health professional. Ask any agency exactly what its aides may and may not do.1
Sources
- In-home care Alzheimer’s Association, accessed 29 Sep 2026
- Fact sheet: licensed versus unlicensed home care services (April 2022) California Department of Social Services, accessed 29 Sep 2026
- Licensing and Certification Program California Department of Public Health, accessed 29 Sep 2026
- Home health aide certification California Department of Public Health, accessed 29 Sep 2026
- Medicare and Home Health Care (booklet 10969) Medicare.gov, accessed 29 Sep 2026