A home health aide provides more than health care. By helping with tasks around the house, providing companionship, and offering peace of mind, these unsung heroes make a big difference in the lives of loved ones. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of having a home health aide.
What is a Home Health Aid?
A home health aide is a trained professional who provides personal care and health-related services to people in their homes.
These dedicated healthcare aides typically work with elderly or disabled individuals who need assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, eating, and using the restroom. They also provide light housekeeping duties and may prepare meals for their clients.
Because many people may require long-term care but do not wish to leave their homes, acquiring an aide offers people the ability to remain in their homes, receive the individualized medical care they need, and be the sole focus of their caregiver’s attention. This is a win-win for everyone concerned.
Let’s examine some more benefits of having a home health aide.
Benefits of a Home Health Aide
There are many advantages to accessible home health aides, including:
Personalized Care
Due to the 1:1 ratio of client to home health aide, healthcare assistants can provide more personalized care than what is possible in a nursing home or hospital setting. This support can be invaluable for people with chronic health conditions who need frequent assistance and monitoring.
You may be wondering about affordability, so let’s examine that further.
Affordability
The monthly cost to live in a nursing or long-term care facility in the US averages around $8000-$10,000 monthly. With an average wage of $16 hourly, home health aides can provide many of the same services as nursing staff at a long-term care facility – but they cost much less.
One of the programs that may help your loved one afford a home health aide is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) offered through Medicaid.
The CDPAP not only provides services and support for those with chronic illnesses or needing personal in-home assistance, but it allows you control over who your caregiver is and encourages you to train them to your specific needs or the needs of your loved one. This control helps your loved one preserve their dignity and comfort.
Dignity, Independence and Comfort
For someone with a disability or who requires extra care, it is imperative they maintain as much independence as possible. Home health aides are specially trained to provide medical support for people while they remain in their own homes, enabling them to stay safe, comfortable, and dignified.
Simply remaining in their homes and continuing daily activities can improve a loved one’s physical and mental health, not to mention their quality of life. Another factor to consider in the client’s well-being is companionship.
Companionship
When you no longer have the ability to take care of yourself the way you used to, it can be a very isolating and lonely experience. Suddenly, you cannot do things that were once easy, and your social life may suffer as a result.
Not only will a home health aide help with the practical tasks of daily living, but they can also provide much-needed companionship.
An additional benefit for a client is their healthcare assistant can take them to visit friends and family whenever they wish, further decreasing their sense of isolation and allowing them opportunities to connect with others, improving their mental health.
One thing that cannot be ignored is the role an in-home aide plays in helping to maintain good hygiene for their clients.
Hygiene
Often, as a person’s mobility decreases, they may have difficulty performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). They may be unable to take a bath or shower, brush their teeth, or even go to the bathroom without help.
A home health aide can provide this type of care (known as personal care services) which helps to ensure that the person stays clean and healthy. This focus on personal care can prevent the spread of infection, improve a person’s well-being and self-esteem, and contribute to a safer environment for all concerned.
Safety
If you’re worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one who is having difficulty performing daily functions, then a home care assistant may be the right solution. An aide ensures the safety of their client by:
- Providing physical support and assistance
- Helping with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and eating
- Monitoring vital signs
- Issuing medication reminders
- Overseeing any particular diet or exercise requirements
In this way, a home health aide will ensure the continued safety of their clients. This increased level of protection will also alleviate the need to visit the hospital too often.
Prevents Avoidable Trips to the Hospital
Many chronic medical conditions can be managed with the help of a home health aide, alleviating the need for unnecessary trips to the hospital. For example, aides can help monitor blood pressure, check glucose levels, give medications on time, and provide other needed care.
In addition, the elderly often prefer to avoid the hospital wherever possible. A home health aide can help make this possible by providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands.
You might be wondering what type of training a home healthcare worker undergoes. Let’s find out.
High-Quality Training
By hiring a qualified home health care aide, you’ll be assured of getting a competent individual capable of meeting your or your loved one’s needs. A home health aide is a trained professional who provides in-home care services.
In-home healthcare aides are usually certified through a state-approved program. They must complete a certain number of hours of training and pass a written exam and skills test.
With this rigorous standard, you can be sure your aide can perform all the necessary tasks to support you or your loved one. Let’s now take a second to summarize all these benefits.
Maybe it’s Time to Consider a Home Health Aide for You or Your Loved One
As we’ve examined in this article, a home health aide can provide many benefits for those with chronic medical conditions, the elderly, or those with loved ones in their care.
From helping with the Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, to providing transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and other errands, hiring a home health aide could solve your problems.
If you need financial help hiring a home health aide, see if you qualify for CDPAP through Medicaid. Don’t wait; reach out today and help your loved one enjoy a happier, more independent tomorrow.