Home Health Aides in Patient Care
Overview
Home health aides in patient care support people who are sick, injured, or living with disabilities so they can safely stay in their own homes. They check vital signs like pulse, temperature, and breathing; help with medications as directed by a nurse; and assist with daily activities such as bathing, getting dressed, moving from bed to wheelchair, and eating. They also prepare simple meals, do light housekeeping, keep written records of the person’s condition, and communicate important changes to nurses or case managers so the care plan stays safe and up to date.
Did you know?
Home health aides must be prepared for physically demanding work including lifting patients and emotionally challenging situations while providing compassionate care in patients' homes.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Writing
Key Responsibilities
- Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
- Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
- Bathe patients.
- Change dressings.
- Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
- Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
- Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
- Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of physician or as directed by home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.
- Care for children with disabilities or who have sick parents or parents with disabilities.
- Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
- Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
- Massage patients or apply preparations or treatments, such as liniment, alcohol rubs, or heat-lamp stimulation.
- Accompany clients to doctors' offices or on other trips outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship.
- Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
- Perform a variety of duties as requested by client, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands.
Career Considerations
Physical and Emotional Demands
Home health aides must be prepared for physically demanding work including lifting patients and emotionally challenging situations while providing compassionate care in patients' homes.
State Certification Requirements
Most U.S. states require home health aides to complete state-approved training programs and pass competency evaluations, with ongoing continuing education requirements.
Strong Job Growth Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average job growth for home health aides due to America's aging baby boomer population and preference for aging in place.