It Is Important to grasp the distinction between non-medical and medical care, as doing so helps families to better understand and utilize their health insurance benefits and find financial assistance to care for a loved one. Providing non-medical care generally means assisting elderly or disabled persons in performing their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Examples include assistance with eating, bathing and maintaining personal hygiene, dressing, toileting, and basic mobility, preparing meals, transportation assistance, light housecleaning, laundry, and shopping for essentials. Non-medical care may also include companionship and supervision. Assistance with medication is an area that toes the line between medical and non-medical care. Medication reminders for taking pills is considered non-medical, but medication administration, by nebulizer or with hypodermic needles, for example, is considered medical care.
Non-medical care can play a critical role in assisting seniors in maintaining their independence, allowing them to continue to live in the comfort of their own homes. Sometimes this type of care is needed temporarily, such as during recovery from an illness or injury, and sometimes it is needed indefinitely due to the natural process of aging. In many cases, without in-home, non-medical assistance, the likelihood that seniors might need to move in with a family member or relocate to an assisted living residence is greater. For seniors who live with a relative who provides them with regular care assistance, non-medical care can be received in the form of respite care (in-home or out-of-home). Respite care allows primary caregivers a break from their caregiving duties. Furthermore, non-medical care can provide peace of mind for family members, knowing that their loved ones have someone supervising them and helping with activities that are necessary to live independently.
This type of care is usually provided by friends, spouses, and other family members. However, there is a whole industry of private caregivers and even public employees who provide care, typically on an hourly basis. A common misconception is that non-medical care can only be provided at home. This is not the case. Adult day care centers very often provide the elderly with non-medical care during daytime hours. Assisted living communities are live-in residences that offer 24-hour non-medical care. Non-medical care is even provided in skilled nursing homes, although the distinction between medical and non-medical care is often blurred at that level.
