Home Health Aid (HHA) usually spends the most time with the patient.
- The offensive line or front line of care. You provide the majority of care
- You are eyes and ears of the team
- Should continually communicate with your team members that may include a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, and case manager
- For complicated patients a face to face or virtual (online) huddle can be the most effective way to share information to assure that everyone has the same shared mental model. A huddle can also facilitate problem solving
- Takes vital signs
- Provides or assists with routine personal care often guided by management plans created by the Case Manager, RN, PT, and OT :
- Bathing
- Dressing and Grooming
- Skin care
- Toileting
- Preparing meals
- Assist in range of motion exercises and walking
- Transferring from bed to chair
- Feeding
- Reminding patient to take his or her medications
- Making and changing beds
- Light cleaning including vacuuming and dusting
- Teaching home management and safety (fall prevention very important)
- Warm and empathetic care is critical.
- Be patient and understanding, many patients are frustrated and may be intermittently confused