Many seniors can benefit from having a little extra help at home as they get older and experience health issues due to an injury, illness, or chronic condition. However, there are different types of caregivers that specialize in elder care, and it’s important to hire the right one to best serve your loved one’s needs.
This article addresses the question, “What is the difference between a home health aide and a personal care aid?” so that you can make the best choice for your family.
The Role of a Home Health Aide
A home health aide helps people who have age-related challenges, disabilities, cognitive impairments, or chronic illnesses be as independent as possible and remain in their own homes. These professionals are often registered nurses (RNs) who are supervised by a doctor and provide basic medical care, such as checking vital signs, dressing wounds, and giving medications. Checking blood pressure, pulse, breathing, mental status, and exercise levels are all part of a home health aide’s job, as well as handling accidents and emergencies if they occur. Home health aides may also provide basic care services that go beyond these medical needs, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, transportation to medical appointments, and light housekeeping tasks.
Home health aides usually have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and many of them have completed further formal training and passed a standardized test to work in home health and hospice settings. These professionals may also complete specialized training programs related to Medicare and Medicaid to best serve their clients.
The Role of a Personal Care Aide
Personal care aides do not necessarily have an extensive medical background or are nurses, but they are trained caretakers who work in individual’s homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. Many people hire a personal care aide to handle daily tasks that have become burdensome, such as preparing meals, taking baths, and going to the bathroom. These professionals not only serve the elderly but also younger people who are disabled, who are recovering from an accident, and anyone who is chronically ill.
Most personal care aides have a high school diploma or equivalent, but much of their experience is learned on the job and not through formal training. Some of the many diverse tasks that a personal care aide can do include grocery shopping, arranging social outings, offering medication reminders, hygiene assistance, and providing entertainment and conversation.
Choosing the Right Caregiver for Your Loved One
If you or your loved one needs help with many medical-related tasks and has serious health problems that need constant monitoring, it may be best to hire a home health aide who has a medical background. For more basic daily tasks and maximum versatility, a personal care aide is a great choice for many people who have diverse needs.
Household Staffing International is a domestic staffing agency that works with many private caregiver professionals and pairs them with individuals and families in need of caregiving services. Not only do these household staff members provide essential help with physical activities and basic needs, but they also offer valuable emotional and social benefits to keep a sick, injured, or elderly loved one feeling positive, supported, and loved at all times.
Caregiver agencies, like Household Staffing International, are relied upon to provide trustworthy, dependable, and compassionate support when it is needed most. Contact us online or at 212-683-7722 to learn more about whether a private caregiver is right for your situation and how the hiring process works.