Career Profile: Home Health Aides

Monitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, or administering medication. Work is performed under the direction of offsite or intermittent onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient's abilities.

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 3,636,900 people employed as home health aides in the United States. The median annual salary is $29,430. Entry level employees earn approximately $22,290 per year and senior employees earn approximately $37,010 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
Perform a variety of duties as requested by client, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands.
Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
Bathe patients.
Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
Massage patients or apply preparations or treatments, such as liniment, alcohol rubs, or heat-lamp stimulation.
Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of physician or as directed by home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.
Care for children who are disabled or who have sick or disabled parents.
Accompany clients to doctors' offices or on other trips outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship.
Change dressings.

Career Explorer

Career Outlook

Total Current Jobs:: 3,636,900

Annual Openings:: 711,700

Increase in Openings by 2030:: 25%

Annual Salary Range:: $22,290 - $37,010

Education Requirements:: High school diploma