The pain of a loved one is almost always perceived as your own. Sooner or later, our elderly, and sometimes not very elderly parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, have serious health problems. Home Care and its staff, known as the Home Attendant, or the Home Health Aide (HHA), are here to help us meet these challenges. You can become a Home Health Aide and receive home health aid training and job placement. We have collected important information for those thinking about a new profession.
What is the difference between HHA Home Attendants, PCA, and housekeepers?
The NHA certificate gives the right to work with patients after the hospital and provide them with additional services. The housekeeper’s duties are narrower and usually limited to a few hours a week.
Should the HHA go out with the client for a walk or take him out if he is in a wheelchair?
The social sphere is vital for clients. An active lifestyle helps reduce the risk of depression and positively affects health. One of the essential tasks of the HHA/PCA is to encourage the client to lead an everyday life. If the weather permits, the HHA is obliged to regularly go out with the client for a walk or take him out if the room is equipped with a gentle slope.
And what are the duties of physical service, a nurse, and a social worker?
The physiotherapist examines and professionally conducts physical exercises and activities prescribed for the patient. The social worker will help resolve conflict situations, fill out the documents correctly, and contact the proper authority. The Medical Social Worker also examines and deals with clients suffering from psychological disorders. The nurse will help:
- follow the medical regimen;
- make sure medications are taken correctly;
- educate family members;
- treat a wound;
- give an injection;
- contact the doctor in charge and the insurance company;
- advise medical equipment;
- recommend increasing hours or changing the work schedule of the HHA, depending on the needs of the patient.
Who determines the number of HHA hours for a particular client, and how can they be changed if their health condition changes?
The number of HHA hours is based on the patient’s state of health and participation in various social programs. The decision is made based on the attending physician’s opinion, examination of the nurse, social worker, etc. The patient will not be discharged from the hospital until this issue is resolved.
HHAs have specific responsibilities to the client. Do clients have responsibilities?
Yes, there is. The primary responsibility of the client is to follow the prescribed medical regimen. The patient must know the obligations of the HHA and not demand more from him than is provided by the rules. To do this, the client receives a Plan of Care (care plan) from the agency, which defines the primary and notable works of the HHA. The client is obliged to have a telephone and provide HHA with household care items, dishes, and detergents.
What is HHA prohibited from doing?
It is strictly forbidden to work with the risk of injury: washing windows, changing light bulbs, curtains, etc. It is prohibited to cut nails, do manicures, injections, give medicines, etc. HHA is not permitted to engage in personal affairs during working hours (reading literature, writing letters, paying bills, talking on the phone, etc.), smoking indoors, inviting strangers to the client’s apartment, etc. They should be well aware of their rights and obligations.
Conclusion
Today, it is difficult to imagine life without HHA, which takes care of thousands of sick, elderly, and infirm people. In the very essence of this work lies such concepts as kindness and compassion. To become more qualified, you can get CPR training MA as well. We want to hope that, choosing this profession, people are aware of the responsibility they place on themselves.