Home Health Aide – What’s in a Name?

There are some professions where it’s pretty clear from the job title, what that job is all about, except Home Health Aide, what’s in the name? Sure, we get Home Health Aides, – a person who helps someone in their homes. But these healthcare heroes offer so much more than that. For National Family Caregivers Month, we’re shining a light on the men and women who take care of those in need. 

What is Home Health Care? 

Home health care is for elderly or disabled patients who don’t need hospitalization. They need help with bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily tasks. These in-home caregivers work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. They help to make it possible for a patient to remain in their own home versus a nursing home or long-term care facility. 

Typical Home Health Aide Duties

Home Health Aides perform a variety of tasks for home-bound patients. By following a treatment plan, they assist with basic needs such as bathing, hygiene, and preparing meals. They provide personal patient care, offer physical comfort using proper safety precautions, and proper infection control, and perform many other duties. Some home health aides also assist with rehabilitative/social activities and transport patients to and from various appointments. 

Qualities of a Home Health Aide

The true definition of a Home Health Aide is simple – caregiver. Caring for others who aren’t able to care for themselves takes a special person. It is even more special when that care takes place in the patient’s home. Traits like patience, compassion, flexibility, and grace under pressure.

What Kind of Training Do I Need?

Think getting certified will take too long? You’ll like the sound of this! If you’ve always wanted to work in home health care, it takes three weeks for you to be trained as a home health aide and earn your certificate. In 75 contact hours of instruction and clinic practice, you can be Home Health Aide certified. That means you can complete the program in as little as three weeks! 

You could say Home Health Aides are heroic home caregivers. Their efforts help keep people who want to be at home – at home. That is heroic by any standard. Love helping others and want to learn more about a career caring for people in their homes? Check out the Home Health Aide program at Daytona College. Daytona’s caring instructors share their real-world experience and can help you launch a rewarding career. Want to make a difference daily? Contact us today for more information or to schedule a campus tour.