Whether a client has a broken leg and can no longer drive, or suffers from dementia and can’t remember where their glasses are, home health care aides provide much-needed support. Aides perform tasks that clients are no longer able to do on their own, such as bathing and grooming, cooking, shopping, and housekeeping. They may also be tasked with recording medical progress, administering medication, or taking blood pressure. Depending on their training, some aides can even help with physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy.
While many aides express a strong passion for caring for others, the job can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. It requires a degree of flexibility and adaptability to adjust to each individual client’s needs. Clients can be demanding, and if an aide is not punctual it can cause stress for both the client and their family.
Aides also must be aware of the impact that their own work-related and non-work related stressors can have on their health. Some studies indicate that intertwined workplace and life stressors can trigger short-term physical, psychological, physiological, and behavioral issues, and in some cases lead to enduring health conditions.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a home health aide is building meaningful relationships with clients. Aides frequently cite the personal connection with their clients as a core reason for choosing this career. During the pandemic, however, this connection was challenged by the need to maintain appropriate social distancing, the prevalence of covering faces, and general fear and anxiety that characterized the time period.
Some aides reported that they had been playing important roles in promoting health and function, even though health promotion was not part of their job descriptions. Aides often reminded their clients to take their medications, helped them get to therapists or doctors’ appointments (e.g., by identifying needs, finding transportation, making arrangements, or driving), and provided companionship and encouragement to promote socialization.
In the end, a good home health aide makes all the difference for her or his clients. As more and more of our elderly population grows, the need for qualified aides will continue to grow as well. But before you decide to pursue a career as a Home Health Care Aide, be sure that you understand what the demands of the job are.
To learn more about the requirements, education, and common duties of a Home Health Care Aide, click the links below. This will help you to determine if this is the right career for you. And if it is, be sure to consider the benefits that come with this rewarding and challenging career path.