These aides help clients move from bed, bathe, dress and groom. Occasionally, they change nonsterile dressings, use special equipment such as a hydraulic lift, give massages and alcohol rubs, or assist with braces and artificial limbs. Some accompany clients outside the home, serving as guide, companion and aide. Home health aides also provide instruction and psychological support. For example, they may assist in toilet training a severely mentally handicapped child, or just listen to clients talk about their problems.
Aides keep records of services performed and of clients' condition and progress.
In home care agencies, home health aides are supervised by a registered nurse , a physical therapist , or a social worker, who assigns them specific duties. Aides report changes in the client's condition to the supervisor or case manager. The home health aide's daily routine may vary. Aides may go to the same home every day for months or even years. However, most aides work with a number of different clients, each job lasting a few hours, days or weeks.