Home Health Care Services: An Overview
Home health care services provide medical and non-medical assistance to individuals in the comfort of their own homes. These services are designed to help seniors, individuals recovering from surgery or illness, and those living with chronic conditions maintain independence while receiving professional care.
Types of Home Health Care
There are two primary categories of home health care services:
Skilled Home Health Care (Medical): Includes licensed nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and medical social workers who provide clinical care such as wound care, IV administration, medication management, and rehabilitation services. Typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance when medically necessary.
Best for: Patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic illnesses, or requiring medical monitoring at home.
Non-Medical Home Care (Personal Care): Includes trained caregivers who assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, and transportation. Usually paid privately, through long-term care insurance, or Medicaid waiver programs.
Best for: Seniors who need help with daily tasks but do not require skilled medical care, and families seeking respite care.
Top 3 Home Health Care Providers in Nashville, TN
1. Visiting Angels Nashville
Best For: Personalized non-medical home care, flexible scheduling, and families seeking compassionate companion care for aging loved ones.
Philosophy: Select Your Caregiver. Visiting Angels believes families should have input in choosing their caregiver. They focus on building meaningful relationships and providing customized care plans tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Services:
Companion Care: Conversation, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and errands.
Personal Care: Bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting assistance.
Respite Care: Temporary relief for family caregivers.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care: Specialized training for memory care support.
Palliative Care: Comfort-focused care for those with chronic or terminal illnesses.
24-Hour and Live-In Care: Around-the-clock support for those who need continuous assistance.
Location: 783 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 340W, Brentwood, TN 37027 (serving Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Belle Meade, Green Hills, and surrounding areas)
Contact: (615) 646-1594 | visitingangels.com/nashville
Pricing (Est):
Hourly Rate: $25 – $35 per hour (varies by care level and schedule)
Part-Time Care (4 hrs/day, 3 days/week): $350 – $450 per week
24/7 Live-In Care: $4,500 – $5,500 per week
Accepts long-term care insurance and VA benefits.
2. Comfort Keepers Nashville
Best For: Interactive caregiving, technology-enabled care solutions, and families seeking a nationally recognized provider with local expertise.
Philosophy: Interactive Caregiving. Comfort Keepers believes engagement is key to well-being. Their caregivers actively involve clients in daily activities, encouraging physical, mental, and social stimulation to promote longer, healthier, more purposeful lives.
Services:
Companionship Care: Conversation, hobbies, outings, and social engagement.
Personal Care: Assistance with bathing, grooming, mobility, and daily routines.
In-Home Safety Solutions: Medical alert systems, fall detection, and home monitoring technology.
Specialized Care: Memory care, post-hospital care, end-of-life care, and in-facility care.
Transportation: Accompaniment to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and errands.
Meal Preparation: Nutritious meal planning and cooking.
Location: 325 Plus Park Blvd, Suite 210, Nashville, TN 37217
Contact: (615) 219-5126 | comfortkeepers.com/nashville
Pricing (Est):
Hourly Rate: $25 – $35 per hour (varies by service type and hours)
Weekly Cost: $300 – $5,000+ depending on care intensity and schedule
Free in-home consultation available to assess needs and provide custom pricing.
3. Amedisys Home Health Care (Brentwood)
Best For: Skilled medical home health care, Medicare-certified services, and patients recovering from surgery, illness, or managing chronic conditions.
Philosophy: Clinical Excellence at Home. Amedisys focuses on delivering hospital-quality medical care in the comfort of home, with trained professionals available 24/7 for urgent needs. Their treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and informed by the latest research.
Services:
Skilled Nursing: Wound care, IV therapy, medication management, chronic disease monitoring.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation, mobility training, strength building, and fall prevention.
Occupational Therapy: Help with daily living activities and adaptive techniques.
Speech Therapy: Communication and swallowing therapy.
Medical Social Work: Counseling, resource coordination, and care planning.
Home Health Aides: Personal care assistance under clinical supervision.
Location: 783 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 300, Brentwood, TN 37027 (serving Nashville and 22 surrounding counties)
Contact: (615) 298-3931 | amedisys.com
Pricing (Est):
Medicare-Covered: Most skilled home health services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance for eligible patients with a physician’s order.
Private Pay: Varies by service type; contact for specific cost estimates.
Medicare certification since 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between home health care and home care?
Home health care refers to skilled medical services provided by licensed professionals such as nurses, therapists, and medical social workers. It is often covered by Medicare or insurance and requires a physician’s order. Home care (also called non-medical home care or personal care) provides assistance with daily activities like bathing, cooking, and companionship. It is typically paid privately or through long-term care insurance.
2. How much does home health care cost in Nashville?
Non-medical home care in Nashville typically costs $25 to $35 per hour. Weekly costs range from $300 to $600 for part-time care (a few hours per day, a few days per week) to $4,500 to $5,500 for 24/7 live-in care. Skilled medical home health care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance for eligible patients.
3. Does Medicare cover home health care services?
Yes, Medicare covers skilled home health care services when: (1) a doctor certifies that you need skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy; (2) you are homebound; and (3) you receive services from a Medicare-certified agency. Medicare does not cover 24-hour care, meals delivered to your home, or non-medical personal care such as bathing and dressing when that is the only care needed.
4. How do I know if my loved one needs home health care?
Signs that a loved one may benefit from home care include: difficulty with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or cooking; recent hospitalization or surgery; chronic health conditions requiring monitoring; memory loss or confusion; frequent falls or mobility issues; weight loss or poor nutrition; social isolation or depression; and caregiver burnout among family members. Many agencies offer free in-home assessments to help determine the appropriate level of care.
5. What should I look for when choosing a home health care agency?
Key factors include: licensing and accreditation (verify the agency is licensed by the state and, for medical care, Medicare-certified); caregiver screening (background checks, training, and ongoing supervision); range of services offered; flexibility in scheduling and care plans; reputation through reviews and references; communication and responsiveness; and cost transparency including insurance acceptance and payment options. Request a free consultation to meet potential caregivers before committing.