Difference Between a Home Health Aide & a Home Attendant

People who are sick, disabled or elderly sometimes need special assistance in order to continue living at home. Home health aides and attendants provide this assistance in several different ways, depending on the needs of their clients and their own scope of practice.

Duties

• Job duties will vary according to federal and state laws as well as employer policy. Both attendants and home health aides perform housekeeping and personal care tasks. Health aides are also responsible for providing basic health care needs such blood pressure monitoring, changing dressings, and maintaining medical equipment.

Supervision

• Home health care aides are usually supervised by a health care professional, usually a registered or licensed practical nurse. Home attendants may likewise be supervised by a nurse, but may also be under the supervision of a non-medical professional such as a social worker, or employed directly by their client or her family.

Education and Training

• While both health aides and attendants can be trained on the job, health aides whose services are reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid must be certified by their state. Certification typically requires that the aide either complete a 75-hour training program or pass a competency examination.