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Get StartedA home health aide is a specialized caregiver that provides medical care or support to a patient. Generally, a home health aide provides care in a patient’s home, where they are most comfortable. These caregivers can be extremely beneficial for senior citizens or patients, who may require assistance in difficult times.
Where to Find a Home Health Aide
Finding a home health aide can be a challenging task, made even more challenging by the number of subpar aides that offer their insubstantial services. However, there are a number of ways in which an individual can find a qualified home health aide. One way is to ask friends, colleagues, or family members who have hired a home health aide. By understanding their perspectives and experiences, it can give you insight into the qualities of an experienced home health aide.
Individuals look for a home health aide can also ask hospitals and other health care centers for a list of qualified aides. In addition, there are a number of professional organizations, such as the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, that offer a list of agencies and vendors. These associations also offer resources for home health aides, who are looking for certification courses and educational opportunities.
Tips for Choosing a Home Health Aide
After you’ve narrowed down your list to a few potential individuals, it is important to see which is best suited for you. While interviewing your candidates, keep in mind the following tips.
References and Credentials:
It is vitally important that a home health aide is trusted and certified, as you are allowing them to enter your home and provide care. One way to ensure the trustworthiness of a home health aide is to ask for references from professionals and past clients. Asking others for their experience and perception of a home health aide will give you an idea of whether you can trust in their services. In addition, a home health aide should also boast a number of credentials and licenses, verifying their abilities and skills. Some of the types of credentials an aide should possess include CPR and first aid training, as well as a certificate from a state certification program.
Services:
Home health aides can primarily provide medical attention and care to patients and elderly individuals. However, these aides can provide more than medical care; many home health aides boast a number of services in their repertoire. Many home health aides also possess cooking and cleaning skills, and a number of duties that will ease the lives of their patients.
Personality:
It takes a particular type of personality to be a home health aide. While interviewing candidates, make sure that the individual is friendly, courteous, and willing to attend to your needs. It is also important to make sure that you and your potential aide’s personalities will match, as you will be spending a lot of time with each other.
