What Are Job Benefits for Home Health Aides?

Working as a home health aide has many benefits. An HHA needed for private pay clients can be hired through licensed agencies. The agency is responsible for training the caregiver, keeping up with related administrative responsibilities, and processing payment for shifts. Some of the main job benefits for a home health aide (HHA) include:

Flexible Schedule

Hours range from a part-time work schedule to a full-time work schedule depending on the client’s needs. For example, some clients may only need a personal care aide for a few hours a week, while others who require extensive care may need help for 12-hour shifts. However, many home health aides enjoy flexible hours, such as alternating shifts day and night based on the client’s needs and the caregiver’s personal schedule.

Generous Salaries

The starting pay for an HHA is competitive, with many caregivers earning a median wage of $17 per hour. A mature caregiver may have an increased wage based on special job qualifications or cumulative career hours. There is also overtime pay for HHAs who need to work beyond their scheduled work hours.

Paid Sick Leave

A home health aide will also have paid sick leave. This is an important benefit because caregivers should not work when they are sick since this could expose the client to infectious diseases. Additionally, caregivers who are injured should wait until they are fully recovered so they can provide the best care for the client.

Paid Time Off

Caregivers will receive proportional paid time off per each payroll invoice. PTO hours can be used to enjoy paid holidays, mental health days, or for any other reason. Paid time off can give caregivers a well-earned break from the emotional and physical demands of the job.

Live-In Assignments

Some caregivers may also be eligible for live-in assignments. A live-in home health aide may be necessary for clients who need around-the-clock or overnight care. For example, a live-in personal care aide may be necessary for a client with mobility challenges and incontinence issues.

Other Benefits

Other job benefits can include free life insurance, associate pay rates, and a competitive package of health insurance benefits. Compared to other licensed agencies, the job benefits for caregivers contracted with Parent Care are extensive.

What Hours Do Home Health Aides Work?

For home health aides in Queens Village, NY or Forest Hills, NY, work hours will generally be flexible. A work schedule is ultimately determined by the needs of the client or the client’s family.

Day Shifts

Many patients will only need care during daytime hours. Day shifts are common for patients who have family members who can help with care overnight.

Night Shifts

Working a shift overnight or during the evening hours is also very common, particularly for patients who are in recovery or may have mobility challenges.

Respite Care Shifts

Sometimes, families will only need to hire home health aides to assist with respite care. Respite care is a type of as-needed service that allows families to take a break from caring for loved ones. HHAs may also be called for respite care shifts if the client’s regular home health aide is sick or taking time off.

Live-In Assignments

Some certified home health aides may also have live-in assignments for both short-term and long-term arrangements. For example, a patient recovering from surgery may require around-the-clock care for a few weeks, while a client with a disability may need daily routine service.

Who Are Personal Care Service Clients?

Clients who may need a certified home health aide in Floral Park, NY or Long Island, NY will typically include any patient who has medical or personal needs that can’t be met by family members. Clients also tend to include patients who do not want to live in nursing facilities or other long-term care facilities.

Adolescent Patients

Certified home health aides may be necessary for adolescent clients who have physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or chronic illnesses. Hiring home health aides for children who have extensive needs can be crucial for families, as an HHA can reduce stress for parents and ensure young patients are receiving optimal medical care.

Aging Adults

Providing support to aging adults is another common role for certified home health aides. Aging adults who want to maintain their independence by continuing to live at home may need assistance with non-medical tasks, transportation, or other errands. An HHA may also be important for elderly patients to reduce the risk of falling.

Disabled Adults

Adults with temporary or permanent disabilities may also require extensive assistance. For example, the job tasks related to the care of disabled adults may include transportation to physical therapy, mobility assistance, bed transfers, toileting, and much more.

Chronic Illness Patients

Patients who have chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic pain, or other conditions that may compromise their immune systems may need to hire an HHA. A home health aide may need to monitor the patient’s condition, particularly if the patient is recovering from treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.

Recovering Patients

An HHA may also be hired to monitor recovering patients, such as a patient who is recovering from an invasive surgery that has a long recovery time. For example, a home health aide can assist patients with housekeeping needs during the patient’s recovery.

How Hiring Home Health Aides Works

In general, to hire a certified home health aide, clients and family members will need to contact a licensed agency. An agency will match clients with a compassionate home health aide who is qualified to meet the client’s needs.

What If Families Want a Registered Nurse?

Some clients may prefer a registered nurse or a certified nursing assistant, such as clients who have several medical-related needs. If family members prefer to hire a nurse as a home health aide, the family simply has to let the agency know.