What Are a Home Care Provider's Duties?

Home care providers help elderly, chronically ill and cognitively impaired people who need help living in their own home. They also help people with disabilities go to work and remain engaged in their communities. In most cases the home health provider works with people who require more care than family or friends can provide. They help discharged hospital patients who have short-term and long-term needs. The services provided by these home health agents vary.

Housekeeping and Homemaker Services

• Home health providers provide light housekeeping services and tasks. These tasks include laundry, shopping, ironing and changing bed linens. It is also common for a home health provider to prepare meals for patients and run errands.

Assistance With Daily Living Activities

• Home health providers can assist their patients with daily living activities. These activities include getting out of bed, bathing, dressing and grooming. Some providers work solely with one patient; others have multiple patients. Other duties may include transporting patients to appointments and other out-of-the-home activities.

Nursing Assistance

• Duties provided by home health providers can also include monitoring blood pressure, checking temperatures and following other medical protocols such as administering medication.

Training

• Home health providers educate and train patients and family members about health care-related issues. For instance, home health providers may teach family members how to prepare meals for a patient on a strict diet. They train family and friends to care properly for their loved ones.