Home Health Aides
Career Snapshot
Home health aides make a significant difference in their clients' lives by providing crucial health care that their family may be unable to provide. Home health aides assist the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those recuperating from sickness with basic healthcare activities such as dressing changes and prescription administration. They keep track of their clients' health and report any changes to qualified nursing professionals, who direct their work. Home health aides may also assist with normal duties such as feeding, bathing, and dressing, as well as other personal care such as light housework and meal preparation, depending on the needs of their clients. Home health aides typically work in clients' homes, but they may also work in small group homes, hospice care, or adult day care centres. Some home health aides work with the same client every day for years, while others frequently work with new customers. Although no formal schooling is required, the majority of home health aides have a high school diploma. Formal training and certification are required for jobs in certified home health or hospice services. Additional certification requirements vary by state. Clients... and their families... rely on the expertise and integrity of home health aides despite the fact that this profession may be emotionally and physically demanding.