For many people who are confined to their home, the health aide s visit is a bright spot in their day. They may also help their patients get into and out of bed, bathe, dress and groom themselves. Some take their patients on short trips outside or offer housekeeping services such as cleaning, doing laundry, cooking and grocery shopping.
Aides keep records of the services performed and monitor the client's condition and progress.
They usually work for home health agencies, visiting nurse associations, hospices, hospitals or public health and welfare departments. Generally, they work on their own, with periodic visits from a supervisor who gives them detailed instructions about what services to perform. This, along with efforts to minimize healthcare costs by moving patients out of hospitals quickly, means there are always positions available. In some states, no formal training is needed. However, employers who receive Medicare reimbursement require 75 hours of classroom and practical training supervised by a registered nurse.