As a home health aide or caregiver, your work involves supporting daily living tasks and other health-related services to patients or loved ones who cannot care for themselves.
Caregivers may also help patients with housekeeping, light cleaning, meal preparation and other activities of daily living. How to become a home health aide? You need to get trained and certified to qualify as a caregiver. It's best to check your state requirements to ensure you get the proper training and certification required to become a home health aide.
One of the requirements to get started is a high school diploma or its equivalent. You may also need to pass a standardized test when you decide to work at an assisted living facility or a hospice agency. For family members with loved ones requiring specialized care, you can get certified as a home health aide with Abby Care.
After completing the program, you can start providing quality care for a child with unique needs or a senior with dementia. Our team also handles all the paperwork required to help you get paid by Medicaid.
As a home health aide, you provide specialized care to children with autism or other patients with chronic illnesses. Understanding your responsibilities can help you decide whether to pursue this route. Your primary responsibilities can include:
You can help patients maintain their independence by providing personal care assistance, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. Some individuals may also need help managing their medications or scheduling medical appointments. Home health aides also help with meal preparation, laundry, household chores, and shopping. Some caregivers offer companionship to help older adults combat loneliness.
Depending on the patient's needs, you may also be trained to take blood pressure readings and check pulse and temperature. Some caregivers also report behavior changes to medical professionals or their healthcare providers, ensuring the patient's needs are addressed. Other health-related responsibilities when becoming a home health aide also include:
One of your top priorities as a home health aide is to improve your patient's quality of life or help them fully recover from an illness. To qualify as a caregiver, you must have a GED diploma or equivalent credential and complete the necessary training.
Getting certified as a home health aide means you can start caring for a loved one. A home health aide certification will teach you to:
Complete a state-approved home health aide program from an accredited institution to get your certification. All caregivers must also pass the written exam covering patient care and vital signs. You may also need to complete a practical skills exam to get a home health aide certification.
The home health aide certification allows you to provide adequate care for a child or senior with special needs and receive payment through Medicaid. You can get certified through us, and our experienced team will train you at no extra cost.
Caring for a patient with special needs can also be challenging for some caregivers. It'll help you to be physically fit, patient, and compassionate. You need these skills to become a better caregiver for your loved one. You also need these other skills:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for home health aides is about $13.12 per hour, and the industry is expected to grow faster than other occupations. Most home health aides work in their patients' homes, group homes, adult day care centers, nursing homes, or assisted living communities—some work in the evening, especially when the patient needs around-the-clock assistance.
After getting your certification, you can also consider advancing your career by pursuing further education or specializing in a specific area. Abby Care can help you learn more about becoming a caregiver for a family member. We serve families in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, and our team can provide comprehensive home health aide training. Get certified with us today.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-home-health-aide
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-get-hha-certification
https://americancaregiverassociation.org/hha-certification/
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/hha.aspx
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm#tab-4
https://www.coursera.org/articles/home-health-aide
https://www.nccdp.org/steps-to-becoming-a-home-health-aide/
https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications/certified-home-health-aide
https://www.nysed.gov/career-technical-education/home-health-aide
