Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Private Home Care vs Home Healthcare: What Service is Right for You or Your Loved One?

Although both services take place in the home, Private Home Care and Home Healthcare are different. The differences are in their provisions and how the cost is covered. Visiting Nurse Health System offers both, Private Home Care and Home Healthcare, but which service is the best option for you and/or your loved one?

Private Home Care: The Basics

Firstly, with a goal of providing families with a peace of mind, Private Home Care services assist individuals with activities of daily living like grooming, meals, transportation and light housework. These services are provided by a CNA and are considered non-skilled nursing services. There are no age requirements for Private Home Care services. In fact, individuals of all ages with disabilities and seniors make up the majority of Private Home Care clients.

Private Home Care: The Cost

The cost of Private Home Care varies depending on the service requirements. At the current time, Medicare does not cover the cost of Private Home Care. These services are paid for out-of-pocket, through long-term care insurance or veteran benefits.

Private Home Care: When to consider

Individuals who are aging or living with a disability should consider Private Home Care when daily living tasks become a challenge. It is our goal to allow our clients to remain as independent as possible with our care as needed. 90% of seniors asked would prefer to live in the comfort and familiarity of their home, learn more Private Home Care by calling 404-658-5800.

Home Healthcare: The Basics

Home Healthcare is a great option for patients who are transitioning from the hospital or rehabilitation to the home. The services needed vary from patient to patient. Home Healthcare services include skilled nursing services in addition to physical and occupational therapy. These are all components in helping patients to get moving again. Home Healthcare is delivered by RNs and LPNs which differs from Private Home Care. Often times, this care involves medicine administration, wound care, ventilator care, and tube feeding. If necessary, Home Healthcare therapists will help in the training to use of medical equipment like grab bars and walkers. These home visits usually last up to 60 days or as long as the patient is showing improvement.

Home Healthcare: The Cost

Home Healthcare is Medicare funded. Medicare will help cover the costs of medical equipment (i.e. grab bars and walkers). A patient’s physician can also order the care option as part of their treatment.

Home Healthcare: When to consider

Consider Home Healthcare Services with Visiting Nurse Health System for yourself or a loved on when transitioning back home after being in the hospital or rehab. Just because you or your loved one is going home that doesn’t mean the necessary care should come to an end. To begin Home Healthcare Services with Visiting Nurse Health System, call (404) 215-6000.

In conclusion, Private Home Care provides frequent and personal care and often times works alongside Home Healthcare. When considering an agency option that is best for you or a loved one it is ideal to find one like Visiting Nurse Health System who offers both skilled and non-skilled care so a relationship already exists if the care needs change. Remember, when seeking new care options always ask questions so that you can make informed decisions. You have to be your own healthcare advocate.

Visiting Nurse Health System is Georgia’s leading nonprofit provider of home healthcare, long-term care at home, and hospice services, helping patients and their loved ones receive care at home following an illness, surgery, or hospital stay.

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Georgia is aging. Are we ready?

Join Visiting Nurse Health System's Healthcare Champions for The Future of Aging at Home-What Georgia Must Do Next, Friday, October 9, as we bring healthcare, business, philanthropy and public policy leaders together for an important conversation about the future of aging in our state.

We’ll explore how Georgia can strengthen infrastructure, encourage innovation, build collaboration and shape policies that support people aging at home.

Hosted by Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, featuring Bill A. Dombi as our keynote speaker.

Friday, October 9, 2026
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Complimentary Executive Luncheon Space is limited

Let’s shape what comes next, together.

#HealthcareChampions #AgingAtHome #AgingInGeorgia #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareLeadership

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Through these dynamic partnerships, we help our communities thrive, by allowing us to move beyond simply providing services, truly making a difference through quality healthcare and better results for the patients and families we serve.

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Thank you for all you do. 
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We are honored to serve those who served. 🇺🇸

#Veterans #HonoringVeterans #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #VeteransCare #CommunityCare

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Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.
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Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month!
Geraldine has been part of the Visiting Nurse Health System family for nearly a decade, bringing dedication, care and commitment to the work she does every day.

We’re grateful for all you do, Geraldine! 👏💙

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Visiting Nurse's Palliative Care program focuses on comfort, quality of life and support for people living with serious illness, while helping patients and families navigate their care.
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Our team is available to answer questions, provide guidance and help families understand navigate care options. 
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Great event connecting one-on-one with seniors, answering questions, sharing information about our full care continuum filled with services to help seniors age in place. 

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#agingbetterexpo#kaiserpermanente#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta#homehealth#seniorcare#AtlantaCommunity#CommunityCare

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Grateful for strong community partnerships that help build strong nonprofit leadership.
For the past five years, OnBoard has been an important pipeline for recruiting talented, committed leaders to the Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta Board of Directors. Their work has helped us connect with individuals who bring fresh perspectives, valuable expertise, and a genuine commitment to our mission.
We’ve seen that impact firsthand. Mel Coker, now in her first term as Board Chair, came to our board through OnBoard and stepped into the chair role following Nicole Hart’s successful completion of her term. And now, we are excited to welcome Amy Katnik as the newest leader joining our board through the OnBoard pipeline.
Strong organizations need strong governance, and strong governance starts with finding the right people who are willing to serve.
Thank you, OnBoard, for five years of partnership and for helping Visiting Nurse Health System continue to strengthen the leadership around our board table. We are grateful for the partnership and excited about the leaders still to come.

#OnBoard #BoardLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #Governance #CommunityLeadership #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta

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Built communities.
Worked hard.
Loved deeply.
Weathered challenges.
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