What Do Health Care Aides Do? 8 Remarkable Ways They Keep Us Safe

Many of our essential workers, like health care aides, provide help, support, and care to those who need it. Since the pandemic and now after, many health care workers are an in-demand field. 

Health care aides (HCAs) have the skills and knowledge to work in many health care facilities. The contributions of HCAs make a difference not only in the lives of those they assist, but our society as well. 

In this blog, we’ll go over the 7 remarkable ways that health care aide help others and society.

Provide Essential Daily Living Support

Patients and clients of health care aides might need the help from their caretaker to do their activities of daily living (ADLs). There are six categories of ADLs which include:

• Eating
•  Bathing and personal hygiene
•  Dressing
•  Being aware of bladder and bowel functions
•  Being able to go the bathroom unassisted
•  Walking and transporting themselves

If a person is unable to do some or all of the list above, then they might need the help of a HCA. One important aspect for everyone is keeping our pride and humility intact as we age. When it comes to helping those with daily personal needs, health care aides are able to perform their duties with empathy and compassion.

Why are Activities of Daily Living important?

According to Aging Care, if a person loses the ability to do their essential activities like their ADLs, due to medical conditions or otherwise. It can negatively affect their quality of life and worsen health conditions. This highlights how HCAs can help those maintain and improve their quality of living.

Health care aides help individuals remain independent and comfortable. They help the individuals in times of need to stay independent, comfortable, and even live longer.

Perform Domestic and Household Tasks

In addition to personal care, HCAs also handle home care tasks to help their residents stay in their home.

Some of the household chores that health care aides can do include:

• Cleaning tasks such as cleaning the floors
• Dish washing
• Laundry
• Taking care of household plants
• Grocery shopping and delivering

As many of us age or suffer from ailments or disabilities that could result in us needing care, we prefer to remain at home or in a familiar surroundings. Health care aides helping us out with domestic and household tasks when we are unable to do so ourselves could prevent us from straining or hurting ourselves when we are in an unstable condition, and help our homes to stay clean, tidy, and an all round pleasant place to live.

For those who need support due to health conditions or other con, many prefer to remain in their homes. 

Support the People Who Need It Most

Health care aides in addition to providing care, also provide comfort and support.  No matter if their services are used for long-term or short-term care, HCAs can handle a variety of cases. 

Health care aides have training to handle multiple health conditions like: 

• Down syndrome 
• Autism
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Complex or chronic illnesses 
• Physical or cognitive disabilities
• End-of-life care 

Health care aides can provide emotional and mental support to their patients. There is no doubt that HCAs are more than capable of providing any type of support someone could need. 

Flexible working knowledge of multiple conditions

For those who deal with diseases or illnesses, they might need more extensive care when compared to others. By creating a comfortable environment, it helps patients manage their ailments. Their training and certifications prepare them to do many duties that are outside of the realm friends and family can provide. This can includes tasks like: 

• Wound care
• Bed transfers, lifting, turning and walking
•  Respiratory equipment use or urinary care

Health care aides also specialize to handle cognitive declines and end-of-life care. Many health care aides provide comfortable, empathic care to those they are responsible for. 

Transport Clients and Patients

If patients are unable to drive or aren’t able to get to certain locations, health care aides can assist in these situations.  The role of a health care aide can organize transportation, book appointments, outings or visits, and more. 

One of the many reasons people choose this career is because they have a intense desire to help people. When someone is dealing with serious conditions or illness, it can be difficult to find help. Health care aides often will go above and beyond to help ease their patients’ pain and make their lives easier. These professionals dedicate their lives to making beneficial impacts on those they care for. 

Administer Medications

Although HCAs cannot issue every kind of medication, they ca provide other support to ease pain. While they are studying for their qualifications, health care aides learn how to give certain medications. They are also well-versed in the effects and requirements of medications. This helps them ensure all medication is taken properly and safely. 

Health care aides have extensive training on medication administration. This allows them to be able to handle any questions or concerns patients may have.

Monitor Patients

As stated above, health care aides can track prescriptions and medication for their patients. But health care aides also watch the condition and status of heir patient carefully. They are able to relay important information to health care providers like doctors. Health care aides have access to relevant documents and resources which helps them make informed decisions and alert other professionals if necessary.

 Some of the monitoring signs that HCAs watch include the patients vital signs, temperature, and breathing.

, “HCAs [are] an extremely important part of the Healthcare system. They are the people that give direct care to clients in all different areas.” 

 said Karen Whalen, a HCA Coordinator at ABM College. HCAs must have an understanding of knowledge and skills to be efficient caretakers.  Additionally, health care aides have certain requirements to meet before they can get their certification. 

HCAs must have the relevant knowledge and skills to be able to understand the needs of their clients and provide the best care possible.

Help Out Families

When someone is dealing with a serious condition or illness, it affects more than only the patient. It can also take a toll on friends or family. Family members are often the primary caregivers to people who cannot help themselves. This toll can appear in many ways such as time, health, and finances.

Health care aides understand that family and friends of sick or aging people also need care and support. The emotional and psychological hardship can be difficult to bear. A qualified health care aide can assist not only the patient but those around them too. Their training and background allow them to understand the needs and dynamics of everyone. 

Health care aides provide support and care to patients and their families when they are needed the most. It takes a special quality in a person to be able to care for someone who needs help and impact that person’s life in a beneficial way. These were just some of the ways that health care aides provide incredible services to our community. 

 If you think that being a health care aide might be the career fit for you, check out the Health Care Aide Diploma Program! 

For more health-related topics, check out of our blog!

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