News
February 27, 2025
Private Duty Services vs. Private Duty Nursing
Private Duty Services and Private Duty Skilled Nursing both provide care at home, but they differ significantly in terms of the level of care and expertise involved. Here’s a simple explanation when comparing services:
Private Duty Services
- Non-Medical Care: Focuses on helping with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship.
- Caregivers: Typically provided by home health aides or personal care assistants.
- Goal: To assist with everyday tasks to help individuals live comfortably at home.
Private Duty Skilled Nursing
- Medical Care: Involves professional medical care that can only be performed by licensed nurses (Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses).
- Services: Includes administering medications, wound care, tube feedings, monitoring vital signs, managing chronic conditions, and other complex medical needs.
- Goal: To provide medical treatments and interventions at home, ensuring patients receive the necessary medical care without needing a hospital or nursing facility.
Key Differences
- Level of Care: Private Duty Services offer support with non-medical tasks, while Private Duty Skilled Nursing provides professional medical care.
- Providers: Non-medical care is given by aides or assistants, whereas skilled nursing care is provided by licensed nurses.
- Purpose: Private Duty Services focus on helping with daily activities, while Private Duty Skilled Nursing focuses on delivering medical treatments and monitoring health conditions.
In summary, Private Duty Services help with everyday tasks to make life easier at home, while Private Duty Skilled Nursing offers medical care to manage health conditions and provide treatments at home.
Download a copy of this fact sheet here.