Home health aides held about 913,500 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most home health aides were as follows:
Home healthcare services
38%
Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
24
Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities
11
Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly
10
Most work in a client's home; others work in small group homes or larger care communities. Some home health aides go to the same home every day or week for months or even years. Some visit four or five clients in the same day, while others work only with one client all day. They may work with other aides in shifts so that the client always has an aide. They help people in hospices and day services programs, and also help people with disabilities go to work and stay engaged in their communities.
Work Schedules
Most home health aides worked full time in 2014. They may be required to work evening and weekend hours to attend to their clients' needs.
Injuries and Illnesses
Work as a home health aide can be physically and emotionally demanding. Aides must guard against back injury because they often move clients into and out of bed or help them to stand or walk.
In addition, home health aides frequently work with clients who have cognitive impairments or mental health issues and who may display difficult or violent behaviors. Aides also face hazards from minor infections and exposure to communicable diseases, but can lessen their chance of infection by following proper procedures.