Home Health Aide: Important Dos and Don’ts You Need to Know

When you work as a home health aide, you have an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your patients. As a home health aide, you will provide primary care and assistance with activities of daily living to patients in their homes.

This can include tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, as well as providing light housekeeping and errand services. You will also be responsible for monitoring the patient’s health status and reporting any changes to the supervising nurse.

Working as a home health aide can be both rewarding and challenging. Read on as we discuss further what you need and don’t do in working as a home health aide.

Things You Should Do

1. You Must Adhere to Your Patient’s Treatment Plan

If you are a home health aide, you must adhere to your patient’s treatment plan. The patient’s doctor designs this plan to help the patient recover from an illness or injury. The treatment plan may include medication, physical therapy, and other treatments. You must follow the procedure as closely as possible to ensure that the patient recovers.

2. Arrive at Work on Time and Accurately Record Your Time

If you arrive at work on time, it shows that you are reliable. This is important for your patients and their families, who depend on you to provide care. It is also essential to accurately record your time so that you are paid for your work hours.

3. Notify the Nurse and Your Agency of Any Changes in Your Patient’s Health Status

As a home health aide, you must notify the nurse and your agency of any changes in your patient’s health status. This includes changes in their condition, medications, or any other treatments they receive. Keeping the nurse and agency updated on your patient’s health can help ensure they receive the best possible care.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

1. Never Smoke in Their Home and the Presence of a Patient

You should never smoke in the presence of a patient or their home as a home health aide. This is because smoking is a known health hazard and can potentially expose patients to secondhand smoke, which can be just as harmful as smoking. Additionally, patients may have various respiratory conditions that can be exacerbated by exposure to tobacco smoke. For these reasons, always respecting a patient’s request for a smoke-free environment is essential.

2. Avoid Causing Workplace Conflict

Conflict in the workplace is a common occurrence. It can be caused by many things, such as differing opinions, personal differences, or even miscommunication. As a home health aide, it is essential to avoid causing workplace conflict.

Below are some tips to help you avoid causing workplace conflict:

• Communicate effectively. Make sure you are clear when communicating with your coworkers. Miscommunication is a common cause of workplace conflict.
• Be respectful. Respect your coworkers’ opinions and personal space. Avoid getting into arguments or fights with them.
• Compromise. If you and your coworker have different opinions on something, try to come to a compromise. This will help avoid conflict and keep everyone happy.
• Avoid gossiping. Gossiping about your coworkers can create tension and lead to conflict. If you have something negative to say about someone, say it to their face instead of behind their back.

3. Never Be Rough with Your Patients

As a home health aide, you will work with patients who are often vulnerable and in need of care. It is crucial to never be rough with your patients, as this can lead to further injury or death. Always be gentle and careful when handling them, as well as when moving them around. If you have to lift a patient, make sure to use the proper technique so that you do not hurt them.

Conclusion

If you are considering becoming a home health aide or are already working as one, it is vital to know the dos and don’ts of the job. Following these guidelines will help you provide the best possible care for your patients and avoid any potential legal or ethical issues.

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