Home Health Care Aide Duties

While seniors continue to live longer, the role of the home health aide grows in importance. It is important the home health aide duties are clearly defined in order to avoid confusion for the worker and the patient.

Helping with Activities of Daily Living

• The home health aide (HHA) helps with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing oneself or cooking. Without this help, the patient may not be allowed to stay in his home.

Time Frame

• Home health aide duties are usually different from the duties of a sitter, who does non-essential tasks like playing a card game with the patient. HHAs complete their duties in the patient home in 1 to 2 hours.

Features

• Duties include light housekeeping like cleaning the patient's immediate living area. They can also bathe the patient and perform grooming.

Theories/Speculation

• Home health aide training will grow in demand in the next two decades. Demand will be high for those willing to perform this vital service.

Geography

• In some states like New York, home health aides have joined labor unions for health care workers in order to maintain a minimum living wage.