John Skelton of Senior Helpers | March 20, 2023
Home health care aides can assist seniors by providing nonmedical personal care services at home. They play an important role in helping older adults age in place while also providing support and respite to family caregivers.
A home health care aide may work with a senior who is recovering from surgery or a senior who requires extra assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). However, home health care aides aren’t limited to just personal care services. They perform a variety of home care duties to help your senior loved one continue to live at home.
What care does a home health care aide provide?
Home health care aides offer a wide range of services for seniors who prefer to age in place. They focus on helping seniors live safely at home while maintaining their quality of life and emotional well-being. Home health care aides help seniors simplify their day-to-day routines by providing the following key types of care:
- Personal care
- Companion care
- Homemaker services
The specific type of care a home health care aide provides is considered nonmedical, which differs from home health care your loved one might receive from a nurse or therapist. However, home health care aides can observe a client's physical and mental health and report any changes or concerns to their family or medical provider.
Read: Home Care vs. Home Health Care: What’s the Difference?
Some states require that home health care aides complete at least 75 hours of training. This sets home health care aides apart from home care aides who aren’t typically required to have specific training. A home care aide might be a good fit for a senior who is independent but could use some support with household chores like cooking and cleaning or companionship.
What are home health care aide duties?
Many of the duties and responsibilities of a home health care aide are similar to those that family caregivers may already be fulfilling for a senior loved one. Home health care aides can also offer valuable social interaction and help with household chores. Hiring a home health care aide may be a good option if your loved one needs daily hands-on support and would also benefit from companionship or help with regular household chores.
The primary duties of a home health care aide include providing assistance with the following:
- Toileting
- Bathing or showering
- Oral hygiene
- Feeding
- Dressing
- Incontinence care
- Mobility assistance
- Conversations and engaging activities such as games or hobbies
- Meal planning and preparation
- Laundry
- Light housework
- Shopping and errands
- Transportation
- Medication reminders