By
Lanee’ Blunt
A
home health aide is responsible for helping people that are disabled,
chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They help older adults meet their
daily basic needs which give them the independence of staying in their home
without, but this service the individuals would require an institution.
Employment for home health aides is on the rise by 50% from 2012 to 2022,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Work Environment
The
work environment usually is in a client’s home, a group home, or a large care
community. They may work for four or five different clients a day or some work
for one client all day. They usually work 40 hours per week from Monday to
Friday and some weekends. Some work a rotation of holidays per year. Many environments
offer a company owned vehicle for their workers, and other companies don’t
offer a company car but require you to have your own car.
Basic Personal Care
Help
clients with their daily personal hygiene, such as grooming bathing, hair care,
and dressing. They assist patients to
and from the bathroom, with bedpans, bladder and bowel requirements. They are
there to comfort patients, talk to them, read or play cards or board games with
them to entertain or offer emotional support. If there are any health concerns
with a patient they report it to a registered nurse or a licensed practical
nurse.
Household Services
A
home health care aide has many responsibilities that include vacuuming and
washing dishes. They usually perform light housekeeping duties for their
patients such as, doing laundry. Assists with shopping or going to the grocery
store. They prepare meals to the dietary specification of their patients.
Transportation and Errands
Provide
individuals with transportation to doctor’s offices, medical and patient care
facilities. They sometimes must transport individuals to recreational,
religious and community activities, and light errands for miscellaneous items,
because they are unable to do these things for themselves.
Health-related Services
There
is basic nursing care that they must provide according to their patient’s
needs, such as taking blood pressure, pulse, and temperatures. They assist
patients by changing bandages, dressings, skin care, help with artificial limbs
and braces. Some aides have special training and they will help with medical
equipment and ventilators. They transfer clients to their beds, use lifts, transfer
them to and from wheelchairs and to their beds.
Requirements for the Job
To
be considered for a home health care aide you must have a valid driver’s
license and proof of auto insurance. Most employers require that you are state certified, by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). Pass
a criminal background test. You must have a car that is functional that can
transport patients to their appointments. You must have a high school diploma
or an equivalent. There is also a lift requirement because you must be able to
transfer patients from chair to bed, and tub.
References:
