Home Health Aide

A home health aide, or home attendant, cares for elderly people, patients recovering from illness, or handicapped persons in their homes. They perform various household chores such as changing bed linens, washing laundry, and preparing and serving meals. The health aide helps the patient with personal hygiene, transfers the patient to and from the bed or wheelchair, and accompanies the patient to doctor's appointments. Duties can include carrying out medical instructions regarding prescriptions and therapies determined by the patient's physician or nurse. Home health aides should be reliable, patient, and compassionate and should enjoy working with people. Aides must be able to stoop, bend, reach, lift, and carry individuals.

Work Environment
Health aides usually work for state or countywelfare agencies, private home health agencies, or on their own. Aides are usually expected to provide their own transportation and often spend time driving from one place to another. The workweek is usually 40 hours, but some aides can work part-time. Night and weekend work is sometimes required.

Job Outlook
The federal government's Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for home health aides will increase by more than 60 percent in Texas. An aging population and increased reliance on home health care have strengthened the demand for home health aides.

Length of Training/
Requirements
While a high school diploma is not required, it is desirable for those wishing to enter this field. Most agencies provide training to home health aides if they have had no previous experience. Training courses are usually two to three weeks long and focus on maintenance of a clean, safe environment; basic nutrition; taking and recording vital signs; infection control; recognition of emergencies; communication skills; personal hygiene; and range of motion.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $20,000 - $27,000.

Professional Associations
National Association for Home Care
228 Seventh St., SE
Washington, DC 20003
202/547-7424
Fax: 202/547-3540

Texas Association for Home Care
3737 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 151
Austin, TX 78731
512/338-9293
Fax: 512/338-9496