Home Health and Care Aide

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Work Tasks

• Help elderly, ill, and disabled people to live in their own homes
• Help with some housekeeping, such as cleaning and doing laundry
• May plan meals, shop for food, and cook
• Help patients bathe, dress, and groom; go with them to medical appointments and to shop
• Work for home health agencies, visiting nurse associations, home care companies, hospitals, public health and welfare departments, community volunteer agencies, temporary help firms, and themselves as self-employed
• Work with people of all ages, food and special diets, cleaning items, laundry, personal care items, medicines, bandages, lotions, and other medical items

Salary, Size & Growth

• $26,000 average per year ($12.50 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,668,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (4.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: Completion of a training program provided by the employer, the American Red Cross, a community college, or a vocational school
• Skills/Courses: Courses include communication, basic care procedures, hygiene and grooming, and basic nutrition.
• Certification/Licensing: Home health care aids must be certified.