Section 12: Home Health Aide Introduction Agency management believes the home health aide is a valuable and essential member of the home care team. Goals of Home Health Care Promote Self-Care and Independence • Encourage the patient/client to participate in their care. • Ask if they need assistance rather than jumping in to help if they are slow. • Allow the patient/client to maintain decision-making control within the limits of the care plan. Maintain Patient/Client Safety • Know the proper transfer methods. • Overexertion increases the possibility of accidents. • Know your physical abilities and limitations. • Know your patient’s/client’s physical abilities and limitations. • Follow the written orders and instructions on the Home Health Aide’s Care Plan. Treat the Patient/Client with Dignity • Respect for an individual’s privacy is very important. • Respect the right of privacy for dressing, bowel and bladder elimination, and bathing. • Treat your patient/client with age-appropriate demeanor. • Avoid talking about the patient/client to another family member or guest in the patient’s/client’s presence as if he or she is not there. • Explain to the patient/client what task you are going to perform before the procedure or treatment. This builds trust and encourages cooperation. • Many patients/clients are lonely and need social interaction. Personal care and conversation are very important to these patients/clients as you may be the only person they see or talk with that day or that week.
