What does a private duty nurse actually do that a home health aide cannot?
This is one of the most common points of confusion, and it's worth being direct about. A home health aide assists with daily living, bathing, dressing, meal prep, mobility support. They cannot legally administer medications, perform wound care, manage IV therapy, or handle clinical tasks that require a nursing license. A private duty nurse is a licensed RN or LPN, and they can do all of those things.
For Lake Success residents managing complex conditions, post-surgical recovery after an orthopedic or cardiac procedure at North Shore University Hospital, COPD management, Parkinson's care, or anything that involves ongoing medication administration or wound monitoring, an aide simply isn't equipped to handle the clinical side.
If the care need is primarily clinical, a private duty nurse is the right level of care. We can help you assess which level is appropriate during the initial consultation, and many families end up with both a nurse and an aide working together under the same care plan.