Home Health Aides
The ability to remain in their own homes is vital to most elderly people. It helps them retain their dignity and their sense of control in the face of physical limitations, which often strips them of that very sense of dignity and independence. In fact, research shows that levels of happiness and personal satisfaction in the geriatric population are directly correlated to one’s sense of self-autonomy. However, parents are frequently urged by their own children, acting with only the best of intentions, to move out of the comfort of their own home, out of concerns for the parents’ safety, personal care, homemaking and social needs.
A home health aide (“HHA”) is an individual who provides routine individualized healthcare services, in a manner unique to each client’s needs, for the elderly, convalescents, or patients with physical or mental disabilities. Through this invaluable assistance, seniors are enabled to remain in the comfortable environment of their own home while leading healthy and productive lives. Most HHAs use agencies, such as Edison Home Health Care, to find placement and to begin providing services to the patient. If your elderly parent or loved one requires assistance with everyday tasks but still wishes to live at home, Edison’s senior/elderly personal care services can provide exactly the type of help needed, while providing you with a clear conscience and peace of mind.
HHAs provide a number of different services for the patients in their care. When needed, they assist in basic tasks such as bathing, feeding and dressing. They can monitor and remind patients to take their medication, assist with patients’ physical and occupational therapy routines and, in general, provide much needed companionship to the clients they are assigned to. HHAs are required to keep detailed notes of the progress of patients in their care and must promptly report any significant incidents that may arise to nurses or other health care professionals. Although they cannot perform all duties of a licensed nurse or physician, such as prescribing medication or treatments, they frequently carry out a doctor or nurse’s directives. Other duties an HHA may perform include light housekeeping, preparing meals for the client, running errands and scheduling appointments for the client.
All HHAs employed by Edison undergo specialized training and are certified. In addition, we provide them with regular continued education in order to keep them apprised of any relevant developments in the health care industry and to enable them to continuously develop their abilities as care providers. HHAs are compensated on an hourly basis, commensurate with their skill, education and experience. Moreover, HHA’s have room for advancement through continued education. Indeed, many HHAs pursue college degrees part-time, with a number going on to become nurses, physicians and other health care professionals.
Want to join our team as a Home Health Aide? Click on Employment.
