Non-medical home care for the everyday things that have gotten hard
Help with bathing, meals, medication reminders, housework, errands and company, from kind, well-trained caregivers who become familiar faces. No doctor's order needed.
From our office in Ponte Vedra, serving St. Johns, Flagler, Duval & Volusia counties, FL.
What non-medical home care is
Non-medical home care is help with daily life at home from a trained caregiver rather than a nurse: bathing and dressing, meals, medication reminders, getting around safely, light housekeeping, laundry, errands, rides and company. It's what most people mean when they say home care, and it's what Always Responsive Home Care provides.
The word non-medical matters because of what it isn't. Home health care is skilled care a doctor orders, such as nursing, wound care or physical therapy, usually for a few weeks after an illness or surgery. Non-medical care is the daily help that carries on after the nurse and therapist stop coming, or that someone needed all along.
Because it isn't medical, it doesn't need a doctor's order or a diagnosis. A family can call, have a registered nurse visit for a free assessment, and often start care within days. The nurse writes the care plan and supervises the caregivers.
What non-medical home care includes
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Personal care
Bathing, dressing, toileting, incontinence care, shaving and hair.
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Meals
Shopping, cooking to the doctor's diet, and sitting down together to eat.
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Medication reminders
Prompts at the right times from a filled pill organizer. Non-medical caregivers remind; they don't give medications.
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Getting around
Help with walking, stairs, getting in and out of bed, and using a walker or wheelchair safely.
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Around the house
Laundry, dishes, changing sheets, tidying, and keeping walkways clear.
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Errands and rides
Groceries, prescriptions, the hairdresser, and rides to appointments.
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Company and supervision
Conversation, cards, walks, and someone keeping watch when memory is slipping.
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Overnight help
An awake caregiver through the night for bathroom trips, confusion and falls.
It comes in whatever shape a family needs: companion care a few afternoons a week, personal care each morning, hourly care on a set schedule, or overnight care.
Non-medical home care, home health care and assisted living
These three get mixed up all the time. Non-medical home care brings a caregiver to the house for daily help. Home health care brings a nurse or therapist for care a doctor ordered. Assisted living moves your parent into a residential community. We provide the first, and we'll point you to the others when they fit better.
| Non-medical home care | Home health care | Assisted living | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Their own home | Their own home | A residential community |
| Who provides it | Trained caregivers, supervised by a nurse | Licensed nurses and therapists, with some aide visits | Community staff |
| What it covers | Daily living: bathing, meals, reminders, housework, company | Skilled care such as nursing, wound care and therapy | Housing, meals, activities and some personal care |
| Doctor's order | Not needed | Required | Not needed |
| How long | As long as it's needed, from a few hours a week | Part-time visits while there's a skilled need | Ongoing residence |
| Who pays | The family pays us directly; long-term care insurance can reimburse them | Medicare and other insurance, for people who qualify | Private pay or long-term care insurance |
Many families use home health and non-medical care at the same time after a hospital stay. Our home health care vs. home care explainer covers how they fit together, and in-home assisted living covers getting assisted-living-style help without the move.
What it costs and who pays
An agency's hourly rate covers more than the caregiver's pay: payroll taxes, insurance, background checks, training, a nurse's supervision, and a replacement when your regular caregiver is out. There's no long-term contract.
Medicare doesn't pay for non-medical home care when it's the only care someone needs. We're a private-pay agency, so families pay us directly, and if your loved one has long-term care insurance, we file the claims so the policy reimburses you. Veterans and surviving spouses may be able to put VA Aid and Attendance toward the cost; see veterans home care.
Who non-medical home care helps most
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Someone just home from the hospital
Weak, tired and on new medications, with home health visits that come and go.
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A parent with early or middle-stage dementia
Still at home, but no longer safe alone for long.
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Someone whose body has slowed down
Parkinson's, arthritis, a stroke or a fall has made bathing, cooking and stairs hard.
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Someone living alone
Managing, mostly, but skipping meals and putting off bathing.
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The family caregiver
A spouse or adult child who has been doing it all and needs help to keep going.
How non-medical home care starts
There's no doctor's order or insurance approval to wait for.
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Call or send the form
Tell us what's become hard and what hours you have in mind. We'll get back to you quickly and tell you honestly what we think will help.
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A nurse visits
A registered nurse comes to the home for a free assessment, looks at the rooms and the routines, and writes the care plan with you.
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We match a caregiver
Someone who suits your parent's needs and personality. If it isn't working, tell us and we'll make a change quickly.
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Care on your schedule
A few hours a week or around the clock, and you can change it as needs change.
What families are saying
We brought Always Responsive Home Care into our home to care for my husband, and their caregiver, Adwoa, quickly became part of our family. She was gentle and patient with him, and she always treated him with dignity. She noticed the little things, like how he liked his coffee and when he needed a rest before he said a word. The office team was just as wonderful. Every time I called, someone answered and took care of what we needed. Knowing he was in such good hands gave me peace of mind I hadn't felt in a long time. Thank you, Adwoa and the whole Always Responsive team. We are so grateful.
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Questions about home care services
Still have a question? Call or text us. Someone is here to talk, any time of day.
(904) 204-2046Click or tap a question to see the answer.
What services do your caregivers provide?
Our caregivers help with everything your loved one needs to live safely and comfortably at home. This includes personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and help moving around the house safely. They also assist with everyday tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, and rides to appointments. Just as important, they provide friendly companionship, conversation, and medication reminders to help your loved one stay on track. Whether you need companion care, personal care, respite care for a family caregiver, or overnight and 24 hour care, we'll build a care plan around your loved one's routine.
Can a caregiver help with bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom?
Yes. Our caregivers are trained to help with personal care, including bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting. They always treat your loved one with patience, dignity, and respect, and follow their preferences and routines so they feel comfortable and in control. Personal care is one of the most common reasons families reach out to us, and it can make a big difference in keeping your loved one safe at home.
Do your caregivers drive clients to appointments and errands?
Yes. Our caregivers can drive your loved one to doctor's appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, the salon, church, or a visit with friends. They stay with your loved one the whole time, so they're never left waiting alone or struggling to get in and out of the car. If the caregiver uses their own vehicle, mileage is billed at the standard federal (IRS) mileage rate. Caregivers can also drive your loved one's car, and we simply make sure every vehicle used is properly insured.
Do you provide overnight or 24 hour care?
Yes, we provide both. Overnight care gives your loved one an awake caregiver through the night to help with bathroom trips, prevent falls, and offer reassurance if they wake up confused or anxious. It also lets the rest of the family finally get a good night's sleep. For loved ones who need support around the clock, our 24 hour care is provided in shifts, so there's always a caregiver who is alert, rested, and ready to help.
Do you care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Yes, dementia care is one of our specialties. Every caregiver receives Alzheimer's and dementia training when they join us, along with ongoing training throughout the year. They know how to gently guide your loved one through daily routines, ease confusion and anxiety, and keep them safe at home, all with patience and compassion. We also take the time to learn your loved one's history, interests, and favorite things so we can create moments of comfort and connection every day.
Can a caregiver give medications?
Our caregivers can't administer medications, but they can provide medication reminders to help your loved one take the right medicine at the right time. Every situation is different, so our team will talk with you about safe options for managing your loved one's medications and help you find the approach that works best for your family.
Let's talk about care for your family
Send the form and our Ponte Vedra team will call you back to talk about your loved one and set up a free in-home assessment. There's no cost and no obligation.
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