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
When is it time to hire a home health care aide?
As your loved one ages, you may start to notice mental and physical changes, which could eventually become an obstacle to their aging at home independently and safely. Many older adults struggle to recognize or admit that they need help, so having a conversation with your loved one before an injury or accident occurs can help them understand that getting support may be beneficial.
Knowing when to hire a home health care aide can be difficult. A common piece of advice from experienced family caregivers on the AgingCare Caregiver Forum is that if you’re wondering about when to get more help, the time is probably now. Your loved one may need help at home if you notice these warning signs:
- Neglecting household responsibilities
- Persistent forgetfulness or poor judgment
- Increased difficulty with everyday tasks, like cooking or laundry
- Challenges with mobility or transportation
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in appearance
- New or worsening health issues
- Difficulty maintaining good hygiene
- Not eating regularly
- Frequent falls or accidents
- Signs of depression or anxiety
- Wandering away from home
Home health care aides provide support for family caregivers
Primary caregivers can also struggle to recognize that they need help caring for their loved ones. Maybe you don’t want to admit your loved one’s condition has progressed beyond your ability to help, or you feel guilty wanting to take time to meet your own needs. If the stress of caring for a loved one is beginning to feel overwhelming, exploring home care options may be beneficial for both you and your loved one. Signs that you may be experiencing caregiver burnout include the following:
- Lack of self-care
- Poor performance at work
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Decreased interest in hobbies or other interests
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
By supporting your loved one, a home health care aide can relieve you of some of your responsibilities, provide opportunities for respite, and free you to focus on other obligations such as work or family.
Cost of a home health care aide
The median hourly cost of hiring a home health care aide is $27 per hour according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. However, home care costs vary depending on where a senior lives and the amount of care they require. Keep in mind, most home care agencies require a minimum number of daily and weekly hours.
Hiring a home health care aide
Researching and finding a home health care aide for your loved one can be a time-consuming process. It’s important to clarify your loved one’s specific needs so you can choose an aide who is a good fit. You also want to feel confident that the aide is trustworthy and capable.
Home health care aides should also exhibit caregiver traits that strengthen their ability to provide quality care. These traits include the following:
- Compassion
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Respect and understanding of cultural sensitivities
- Good communication
- Honesty
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
When you are ready to begin searching for a home health care aide, AgingCare can help you save time and energy. Our trained Care Advisors will discuss your loved one’s needs and work to streamline your search by connecting you with home care providers in your area.
Reviewed by home health care executive Michael Ferraina.
Sources:
Cost of Care Survey (https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html)