Types of care
Private duty nursing
Private duty nursing is one-on-one nursing care at home or another setting, delivered by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. It is often longer or more continuous than part-time home health visits. It is medical care, unlike companion or personal care, and a doctor usually orders it.
Why it matters for your family
Private duty nursing fits people with complex medical needs, such as a ventilator, tube feeding, or frequent skilled monitoring. It is not the same as non-medical home care. A nurse can do tasks that an aide cannot. Families often assume insurance covers it. Medicare home health covers only part-time or intermittent skilled care and not 24-hour care at home. Some state Medicaid programs cover private duty nursing for eligible people, so ask the state Medicaid office and the doctor. Check that the nurse holds a current license in your state before hiring.
Source: medicare.gov
Related terms
- Skilled nursing careSkilled nursing care is nursing and therapy that only licensed professionals, or staff supervised by them, can safely provide.
- Registered nurse (RN)A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed nurse who assesses patients, gives medicines and treatments, helps make care plans, and teaches patients and families how to manage illness at home.
- Licensed practical nurse (LPN)A licensed practical nurse (LPN), called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some states, gives basic medical care, such as monitoring vital signs, changing bandages, and helping with bathing and dressing.
- Home health careHome health care is medical care given at home for an illness or injury, such as skilled nursing and therapy.
- MedicaidMedicaid is a joint federal and state health coverage program for people with limited income and resources.
- Home care agencyA home care agency is a company that employs or contracts caregivers and sends them to clients' homes.
