home health aides...where are you?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 6, 2011

I did home health for about 5 months last year..and I hated it. I did feel like I got to provide A LOT more care & I was never rushed..but my clients ( I had three different cases) mainly liked to nap lol. But I never went home with a sore back or sore feet lol!

FlowerPower00 · May 8, 2011

I did home health for about 5 months last year..and I hated it. I did feel like I got to provide A LOT more care & I was never rushed..but my clients ( I had three different cases) mainly liked to nap lol. But I never went home with a sore back or sore feet lol!

Thanks for that post!!! :lol2:THAT is what I REALLY, REALLY want to do, provide concise care. MORE care. :heartbeat

I think I can hardly wait!!!!! :yeah:

BabyGirlx3 · May 13, 2011

I work in home health. I love it :)

Sophia_CNA · May 14, 2011

I am currently working in Home Health. Coming from a facility based job, I enjoy the personal care and attention I can give to each client. However, and I know this depends on the company (I worked for two at the same time), it can either be exhausting with clients who are total dependents and you don't have the luxury of a team or co-workers to facilitate difficult tasks (that in other settings are only done with two people ie certain transfers), or your clients are very independent and you're basically doing housework and feeling like cheap maid service. I know there are various shades withing the spectrum, but I think it's important for anyone considering home health to interview the company and really find out what type of clients they accept and the level of care needed. I was more dictated by need for work quickly and just didn't care.

That was a huge ramble, but hope it's helpful to someone. I would also say that home health involving light personal care is a great first job for new CNAs to gain work experience and and confidence before transitioning into a more involved environment without fear of burning out.

AzDeb · May 15, 2011

I am a CNA who works for a Home Health Agency. I absolutely LOVE home health care!!! Sometimes there is some down time that can seem a bit unchallenging (when clients are napping) but the benefits of giving quality one on one care is just awesome and SO gratifying!! I started out as a new CNA at a LTCF and didn't care for the rush, rush all the time and always being short staffed and never having enough time to spend with the residents. Working in home health care I work the days/hours that work for me. You just tell them when you're available and then they fit you with clients that work with your schedule. My clients have been wonderful and I'm learning a LOT. Not to mention the fact that my back and feet are no longer in pain!

sarah16493 · May 16, 2011

I've been doing home health for a few months now; the job is great for a college student. There is a lot of down time considering you usually have one or two patients. Throughout this work experience, I have assisted with ADL's, prepared/served meals, provided light housekeeping, observe and record patient activity/thoughts, etc. and mostly, maintained safety of the patients in their home. I love the patients I work with but the job can become boring when there is absolutely nothing that can be done. Another issue with home health is job security, at any time, you may lose hours unexpectedly. The job is great for a student or someone who enjoys a slower paced job that allows you to have a lot of one-on-one time with the patient(s).

interceptinglight, CNA · May 24, 2011

I've just accepted a job at a very nice privately owned home health agency that is VERY well-respected. I've been working in LTC for the past several months and have never been very happy working in this capacity. I'm excited about this new venture and my recent orientation has been very encouraging. Not only is my pay better that in LTC, my chance for getting raises is better as are the benefits and other perks of the job. This company really treats its employees great. We also get paid for mileage and travel time between assignments. I hope I like it as much as I think I will !!! As far as the job being boring......after busting my butt for the last several months for the worst possible pay I've ever made, this will feel like piece-a-cake.

peppapig123 · May 25, 2011

I went and took a written test at an agency today, I completed my training last week. I hope I get hired :) I have another question, some of you may think its silly....but do you ever get scared being at a clients home? Like if you have a late/overnight shift? Do you sleep? Watch tv? What do you do?

Sophia_CNA · May 25, 2011

I've done late night at a client's home before working 1pm-1am. After I put the client to bed, I would read or watch t.v. He kept a monitor (baby monitor) in his room, so I could hear if I needed to step outside etc. I would say ask the company what their policy is or what they expect when working overnight or late. They may not mind you sleeping or watch t.v., or they may. Also, ask the client or their family (if they don't live alone) what they expect. I was never able to sleep or nap even working a 12 or 13hr shift. I suppose my anxiety kept me on high alert. I did appreciate having the down time though.

db65x · May 28, 2011

I've been a home health aide for about a year now and I really like it. My agency is contracted by the VA so all my patients are veterans, almost exclusively male, which is good because I'm also a male. I like the level of attention I am able to give each patient and the variety of experiences.

I'm typically at a patients house anywhere from 30 minutes up to 1 hour, depending on what needs to be done, then back in my car driving to the next one. My car now almost seems like a break room as I get to sit down at least once an hour while I drive to my next location. I make $18/visit and currently do about 47 visits a week so the money's not too bad, although I do spend a lot on gas.

I also really like the idea of helping people be able to remain at home with their loved ones as long as possible.

interceptinglight, CNA · May 28, 2011

I went and took a written test at an agency today, I completed my training last week. I hope I get hired :) I have another question, some of you may think its silly....but do you ever get scared being at a clients home? Like if you have a late/overnight shift? Do you sleep? Watch tv? What do you do?

I really wouldn't be any more afraid being at a client's home than I would be at my own, even on a night shift. In my case, I really can't do a night shift because I have 4 kids of my own and need to be available to them, too. I really can't be spared for overnight shifts. Some overnight shifts are 'sleep shifts', it depends on the assignment. If you have a client who has seizures at night, you wouldn't be allowed to sleep as you would need to be documenting the time of the seizure and the duration of it. I've only done one night shift assignment in the past (in a different job before I was a CNA) and I couldn't handle the fatigue. But in that case, I just watched TV, read a little bit, and wrote in my journal. I had to walk around a lot and stay on my feet alot to keep from falling asleep.