Honoring Home Care's Unsung Heroes

By Dana Pavelock
We often get calls and questions about Personal Care Aides and Home Health Aides. The general public has developed their own perception based on a slew of articles that may or may not really capture the essence of who these people are and how important the work is that they do. This has often led to misconceptions about the level of training or skills of these workers.

For the most part, individuals performing this level of para-professional health care service consist of a group of people who have a commitment to caring for others. They are men and women of varying ages and backgrounds who understand the vital role that they serve. They provide services and care to individuals on either a short term or long-term basis to improve quality of life, preserve dignity of self and maintain patient’s ability to remain home for as long as they choose. Services range from companionship to total care, one hour a day to live in aides, with settings ranging from plush private homes to inner city projects. Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides experience much satisfaction providing care and develop wonderful relationships with patients and family members alike, and at the same time often are under appreciated for who they are and what they do.

PCA’s and HHA’s are required to complete training classes ranging from seven days to two weeks in length through a health training curriculum that is approved by the Department of Social Services and the NYS Department of Health. Some of the training consists specifically on working with children and disabled population, meal preparation, complex diets and nutrition, spending & budgeting, care of the home & personal belongings, infection control, personal care related to bathing, dressing, grooming, ambulating and transferring patients, use of mechanical lifts and other medical equipment, and assisting with medications.

HHA’s receive enhanced training in areas such as how to measure vital signs, prepare complex modified diets, assist with prescribed exercise programs, use other prescribed medical equipment, provide special skin care, and assist with dressing changes. The training is very detailed and students not only have to complete the training, they need to pass academic testing and demonstrate competency in each module. They are also required to participate in on-going in-service training throughout the year and demonstrate competency in the field under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. For more information regarding the training curriculum and to see exactly what services and activities are permissible by a Home Health Aide please visit the following site: www.nyhealth.gov/ and search Home Health Aide Training.

Like other agencies that deliver HHA & PCA services, every week we receive positive feedback from patients we serve who express high levels of satisfaction in for the services of our aides, who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty. HHA & PCA staff never cease to amaze us with their focus on providing exceptional care and customer service, doing so from the heart without seeking recognition. In many ways they are the unsung heroes in our health delivery system.

Please help the health care community recognize the valuable and important role our home care aides provide. We ask that you simply understand the work they do and whenever you have the opportunity, let them know how appreciated they are for what they do.