Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 3,470,700 people employed as home health aides in the United States. The median annual salary is $27,100. Entry level employees earn approximately $20,130 per year and senior employees earn approximately $36,990 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
• Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
• Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
• Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
• Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
• Perform a variety of duties as requested by client, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands.
• Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
• Bathe patients.
• Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
• Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
• Massage patients or apply preparations or treatments, such as liniment, alcohol rubs, or heat-lamp stimulation.
• Administer prescribed oral medications, under the written direction of physician or as directed by home care nurse or aide, and ensure patients take their medicine.
• Care for children who are disabled or who have sick or disabled parents.
• Accompany clients to doctors' offices or on other trips outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship.
• Change dressings.

Career List