Home care, (also referred to as
domiciliary care,
social care, or
in-home care), is supportive care provided in the
home. Care may be provided by licensed
healthcare professionals who provide medical care needs or by professional caregivers who provide daily care to help to ensure the
activities of daily living (ADLs) are met. In-home medical care is often and more accurately referred to as "home health care" or formal care. Often, the term
home health care is used to distinguish it from
non-medical care,
custodial care, or
private-duty care which is care that is provided by persons who are not nurses, doctors, or other licensed medical personnel.