A Certified Home Health Aide Provides Valuable Services

By Audrey McGuire


A certified home health aide is an individual who offers medical care to injured or ill patients in their home environment. They provide basic care that is not intended to be a substitute for medical evaluation from a physician or other licensed practitioner. Over the past decade, the demand for such positions has increased substantially, which is a trend experts anticipate will continue until 2016.

The goal of the aforementioned care is to help patients stay in their homes. The latter is preferable to most individuals when compared with the need to be placed in a long-term care facility. Home health aides can assist patients to perform their activities of daily living while maintaining their independence.

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 looking for personal care for a homebound individual, whether the latter is ill or disabled, one must carefully select a health agency. Most establishments of this type are legitimate; however, anyone who will be coming into a person's dwelling should be carefully screened in advance. This can be accomplished by asking for licensing information on the company, and checking the background of each agency one is considering.

When a certified home health aide has been selected, the patient and his or her family should evaluate the person's performance for several weeks after the scheduled visits have begun. If the individual is completing his or her duties to the satisfaction of the family and patient, long-term arrangements can be made. If not, the client may need to request a different person. When the steps listed above are followed, it should not be difficult to find the most appropriate person for the job.




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