A Certified Home Health Aide Provides Valuable Services

By Audrey McGuire


A certified home health aide administers medical care to injured or ill individuals in the privacy of their own dwelling. However, such services are basic in nature and are not intended to replace medical care obtained from a licensed practitioner or physician. The demand for jobs of this type has significantly increased over the last 10 years, which experts expect is a trend that will keep going until 2016.

The objective of the type of care mentioned above is to assist individuals to remain in their homes. This scenario is typically preferred by most patients when compared with relocating to a long-term care facility. This allows patients to maintain their independence, as the home health aides can help them to perform their daily living activities.

There are a variety of duties that certified aides may perform. These include taking the individual's vital signs, assisting him or her to exercise or walk, helping the patient dress and bathe, and administering oral medications. Depending on the laws in the part of the country where the client lives, some aides can also operate ventilators, perform massages, and change dressings.

The aforementioned individuals always work under the supervision of a doctor or registered or licensed nurse. They cannot diagnose or treat an illness, or offer medical advice. However, they are required to report any unusual findings to one of the individuals listed above.

Because many individuals depend on their insurance companies to pay for such care, it is essential for the aide to maintain appropriate records concerning the care offered. These records are then used by the agency to bill the proper party. However, even those who pay themselves for their care must have a file in which the details of their case is recorded with the health agency. Privacy is maintained regarding such records, and each patient is given a copy of the care that was administered at each visit.

To gain certification, aides must usually complete 75 hours of training on the field, and achieve a passing grade on a written examination. The skills necessary to successfully complete their education include the ability to help lift clients, knowledge of how to properly provide personal care, and the ability to effectively communicate with their employer.

When pursuing such care for an individual who is homebound because of disease or disability, it is important to choose an agency carefully. Most home health companies are trustworthy; however, anyone should be screened carefully who will have future access to one's place of residence. To complete this task, one should obtain licensing information from any company he or she is considering, and research the background of the numerous agencies available. The latter is easy to accomplish online.

After a certified home health aide is chosen, the person and his or her loved ones should evaluate the employee's performance for 2 to 3 weeks after the regular visits have started. If the aide is performing his or her duties to the family and patient's satisfaction, long-term arrangements can be agreed upon. If not, it may be necessary for the client or his or her family to ask for a different individual. When the aforementioned steps are followed, finding the most suitable professional for the task should not be difficult.




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