Home Health Aides – The Complete guide
Home Health Aides – The Complete guide
Article by Lorne Stoppard
Home Health Aides have exceptional job prospects. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow by 50% between 2008 and 2018! This is substantially faster than most other types of jobs. This fantastic growth is because of the expected growth in the number of elderly people. Elderly people tend to have increased health problems and need the kind of health support aides can provide.
It is an excellent time to be thinking of becoming a Home Health Aide !
But… what do Home Health Aides do?
Home health aides (HHA) help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or who are simply older adults, who may need assistance with everyday tasks. They provide this help in the home of the patient, instead of in a health facility or institution.
These everyday tasks, often called ‘activities of daily living’ (ADL), include bathing, dressing, transferring (getting out of bed), using the toilet, eating, and walking. Aides also assist patients with additional tasks, called ‘instrumental activities of daily living’ (IADL), which include light housework, preparing meals, taking medications, shopping for groceries or clothes, using the telephone, and managing money.
How is being a HHA different from other, similar jobs?
They can be known by a number of different names, which can make things somewhat confusing. Alternative titles that describe similar roles include:
– Personal care aide- Home caregiver- Certified nursing assistant- Patent care technician- Residential assistant- Home attendants
Typically, HHA’s have similar job duties to these other jobs. However, there can be some small, but important differences.
HHAs often provide basic health-related services, which most of these other jobs do not. These health related activities include:
– Checking patients’ pulse rate, temperature, and respiration rate- Maintaining records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems- Assisting with simple prescribed exercises- Assisting with medications administration- Changing simple dressings- Giving massages- Providing skin care- Assisting with braces and artificial limbs- With additional training, aides also assist with medical equipment such as ventilators
What are the training requirements?
A high school diploma, or any other formal education, is not required. It is helpful for an individual to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
To become an aide you must have formal training and pass a competency test that meets Federal Government guidelines in order to work for certified home health or hospice agencies that receive reimbursement from Medicare or Medicaid. The majority of care in the United States is provided by these types of agencies.
This means that the majoirity of home Health Aide jobs require you to pass a competency test.
Unfortunately, the certification requirements are quite confusing, as additional training requirements vary from State to State. A Home Health Aide may seek voluntary certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC). Licensing as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is required by some states.
About the Author
For a complete resource on home health aide training requirements and opportunities visit www.healthaidetraining.org
Written by Lorne Stoppard, Home Health Aide Training
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