Being a home health aide is a very rewarding job for many people.  Home health aides help disabled, chronically ill, elderly, or otherwise impaired people go about their day-to-day activities, typically in the client's personal residence.  They assist in the basic things most people take for granted, such as housekeeping, grocery shopping, and, in some cases, showering and using the restroom.  A home health aide does not make a lot of money, but they do get the satisfaction of helping someone and making a difference.  It takes a certain type of person to become a home health aide.

Qualities Of A Good Home Health Aide

Physical Strength A home health aide does need to have some physical strength.  They typically work alone, and many clients need help in and out of bathtubs, chairs, and beds.  Since the majority of home health aides are working in a private residence, no lifting devices are available.  Many home health aide workers are injured attempting to physically help a client move from one location to the next.

Honest and Trustworthy It can be scary and uncomfortable for a person to have a stranger in their home.  A home health aide must be trustworthy since they have access to personal items in the home.  They also are usually alone one-on-one with the client, and the client must feel safe with them. 

Good Communicator An underlying job of a home health aide is to provide companionship to the client.  Running errands, cleaning house, and assisting with tasks may be the physical activities required of the aide, but above all of that is the companionship and interaction between aide and client.  A great aide should be a good listener and should be able to listen and hear what the client is saying and respond appropriately.  Many aides form lasting bonds with their clients.

Patient The job is not an easy one.  Some clients may be difficult to work with or slow to complete tasks.  A home health aide should be patient and have the ability to stay calm and use self control in all situations. 

Dependable Clients rely on the home health aide for many things.  If a home health aide misses work or is late, it poses a very large problem for the client.  The client may also feel hurt, neglected, and frustrated. 

Shows Good Judgement A home health aide must use good judgement at all times.  They must be able to keep the best interest of the client in mind at all times and follow all policies and procedures of the agency they are working for.  They must know when to report problems and must always behave appropriately at work. 

Empathy If a person is empathetic, it means that they can actually feel what another person feels.  A good home health aide can help validate a client's feelings and make them feel like they are understood and not alone. 

For more information, contact a company such as All Stat Home Health.