Home Health Aide Duties: What Does a Home Health Aide Do?

Working in home care differs from other types of health care because you get to work with people in their own homes. You are invited into the private place of someone who requires your assistance, which is an intimate interaction.

While some of your clients may be demanding, and the work may be stressful at times, you should be aware that you are making a positive difference in the lives of others—which is the finest reward of all.

If you want to become a home health aide working alone or under an organization such as Amazing Home Care, you must be wondering what your role will be, right? Well, there are many things you will be doing that include:

Personal care

87% of seniors prefer to live in their own homes as long as possible, yet many require assistance with daily duties. As a home health aide, you help elders stay where they are most happy and comfortable—in their homes.

In some circumstances, you provide the assistance a family requires to keep their aging parent(s) safe and independent at home.

Your presence as a home health aide can make all the difference for someone suffering from everyday personal care duties like washing and dressing.

Meal planning and preparation

If your client is paralyzed from the waist down, suffers from arthritis or has dementia, preparing and cooking becomes dangerous.

In such a situation, it might be wise for you to step in and save the situation. Having a home health aide assist in the kitchen allows clients to be safe while eating nutritious food.

When preparing the meals, be dutiful in your tasks and ensure that you prepare the best meals.

Housekeeping

Keeping a house clean and habitable might be difficult for someone who can't take care of themselves.

If you've ever been injured or ill at home, you understand how difficult it is to keep up with daily household activities. As a home health aide, you reassure your clients that their responsibilities will be completed, even if they cannot do so.   

Your skills can alleviate a lot of the stress that the client's family members are experiencing. When you take over many day-to-day tasks, the family can unwind and focus on spending time with their loved ones.

Companionship

Research shows that social ties are essential for mental and physical health. This is especially true for elderly people, who may feel separated from their families and friends.

According to studies, social isolation raises a person's chance of premature death by 29% for heart disease, 32% for stroke, and 50% for dementia.

Providing care with compassion, excellence, and dependability benefits your client and improves your health.

Helping others can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and help you discover meaning and purpose in your life. An added benefit of working as a home health aide is that you are paid to make people's days brighter.

Grooming

During home health aide training, you will learn various skills that will allow you to provide a wide range of personal care to your clients. When it comes to washing, dressing, and using the restroom, you may be caring for someone with difficulty walking, so you may need to transfer them to a wheelchair or assist them with a cane or walker.

You may need a mechanical lift if they can no longer walk. Helping someone stand, walk, bathe, and dress can be physically hard, so the elderly require your assistance.

Your clients may be unable to get out of bed sometimes, so as a home health worker you need to learn how to administer a sponge bath and care for hair while in bed.

Aa an HHA you should be able to offer a range of motion exercises for someone who isn't moving much.

Moving and placing a patient using a draw sheet (a tiny sheet placed beneath them) is an important skill for preventing bed sores and skin breakdown.

Grooming can be pretty tough since it demands consistent, agile movements that your client may be unable to do.

You can expect to assist your clients with shaving, brushing, or styling their hair, applying makeup, cleaning and filing nails, dressing, oral care, and denture care, among other tasks.

Picking medications and ensuring the patient takes them

The best partner a physician can ask for is a home caregiver who can observe the patient in their normal setting. Making sure someone follows their medication regimen and does not skip a dose is critical since patients can quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of medications they must take.

For clients who cannot drive, assisting with medication pickup relieves family members of another burden.

How do you become a home health aide?

Get experience

Most home health aide positions demand some healthcare experience. If possible, obtain experience by working another job, interning, or doing an apprenticeship. Caring for an old or ailing relative or family member can sometimes be a rewarding experience.

Get some training

If you want to improve your résumé, consider pursuing a health-related certificate or training program. First aid and CPR certification might be beneficial beginning steps.

You should check out the programs offered in your local community college, vocational school, high school, and hospital.

Put together the necessary paperwork.

An effective CV and cover letter highlight your previous work and educational experience. They also explain why you are a strong candidate for the open post.

Consider tailoring your cover letter to the specific job you're applying for, whether you're applying to an agency or an individual. Include any school credentials, certificates, or work experience on your CV.

Look for relevant jobs.

You can begin your job hunt online by looking at job listing websites and local community groups. You can also search in person through job postings or visiting local agencies.

Consider your area's medical and residential surroundings, including elder care centers and retirement homes. Once you get the job, give it your very best and give your client the best experience so they have an easy time and a long life.