Home Health Aide

Home health aides are in high demand in Western Massachusetts as more people with disabilities -chronic and mental illness- and elders choose to age in place, and require assistance to continue living in their home.

Home health aides help people with their daily living activities in the person’s own home, or sometimes in a residential facility.

Home health aides:

• Care for clients’ basic needs and assist in bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and moving patients
• Help keep clients independent by performing routine housekeeping tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and running errands
• Work independently, often under the supervision of a nurse

Education and training requirements:

A high school diploma or GED and often a certificate training program are required to become a home health aide. In order to become certified, home health aides are required to pass an exam. Many CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) training programs also provide training as a home health aide.

HHAs are also expected to have:

• An understanding of diet and nutrition
• Reliable transportation
• Knowledge of patient’s rights and privacy requirements
• Strong communication skills

Travel Requirements

• PCAs may have to travel between clients.  However, travel requirements will vary depending how many clients they serve, the needs of their consumer employer, etc.
• Homemakers and Personal Care Homemakers can be assigned to provide care to 4 to 5 different clients in one day.  Homemakers and Personal Care Homemakers must have reliable transportation (have your own car or use public transportation) and be willing to travel from house to house to serve multiple clients.