When it comes to choosing in-home senior care, you will find that there are many types of home care services available for the elderly. Home health aides are a common option for seniors who want to remain at home but need both personal and basic health care assistance. But, what does a home health aide do exactly and how can they help your aging loved one? This article will help you understand the role of home health aides and the services they are well-equipped to provide seniors.
What is a Home Health Aide (HHA)?
A senior home health aide can be best described as a personal care aide that has received specialized medical training. They often provide minor medical support in addition to assisting with daily routines. HHAs are ideal for seniors who need basic routine care yet may not require the full attention of a home health nurse. Home health aides must complete state-approved training and licensing to offer certain medical services under the direction of a registered nurse or other medical professional.
What are the Duties of a Home Health Aide?
Home health aides can provide aging seniors with personal care, companionship and basic health assistance. Some of the most common duties of a home health aide include:
- Observing and recognizing symptoms of health conditions to get your senior loved one the right help quickly
- Assisting your loved one with daily living and existing routines
- Helping with general hygiene and grooming routines including bathing and brushing teeth
- Helping with meal planning, daily nutrition and eating
- Running errands and shopping for food
- Assisting with light housekeeping activities
- Assisting your loved one with moving from the couch to their walker or wheelchair
- Toileting support
- Administering and monitoring your loved one’s medications and checking vital signs under the supervision of a home health nurse
- Companionship visits
- Transportation to medical appointments
These are just some of the services that home health aides can provide seniors. HHAs may also be qualified to assist with dementia and Alzheimer’s care, heart attack and stroke recovery, cancer recovery, changing bandages, medical equipment and palliative or hospice support.
When Should You Hire a Senior Home Health Aide?
There are many reasons why you may consider hiring an in-home health aide to care for your parent or family member. For one, these specialized home care workers provide excellent, compassionate assistance when you want to strike the perfect balance of basic routine care and medical support. If any of the following situations look familiar, you may wish to consider hiring a senior home health aide for specialized assistance:
- You can’t be at your loved one’s home to help with daily routines every day.
- You’re worried about your loved one recovering at home after a surgery.
- Your loved one is often forgetful when it comes to taking medications or keeping up with important daily tasks.
- Your loved one has a chronic illness, disability, or cognitive difficulty that can make it difficult to care for themselves at home.
- You’re afraid that your loved one is lonely and depressed.
- The care your loved one requires is beyond your expertise.
- You need help because you feel stressed out and overwhelmed when caring for your loved one.
Compassionate & Skilled Home Health Aides for Seniors
A qualified home health aide can provide your senior loved one the companionship and medical assistance they need to help them live at home for as long as possible. The benefits of hiring a home health aide can also provide you with peace of mind knowing that someone is available to check on your loved one when you are unable to be there. Let our family take care of your family. Contact us today for a home health care assessment.