NY Times: Home Health Aides Need Better Training

Personal care aides and home health aides who provide the majority of hands-on care for those who wish to die in the comfort of home receive little to no training, says The New York Times in a recent article.

Federal law requires home health aides, who typically assist those who get skilled nursing care or therapy at home, to have 75 hours of training, and only a few states require additional hours.

But there are no federal requirements for personal care aides, who provide most of the home services and support for those in long-term care, writes Carol Rodat, the New York policy director for PHI, formerly known as the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute. 

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While some states have training standards, most require little more than C.P.R. and first aid, and 10 states have no training requirements at all.

“More important, even aides with good entry-level training rarely have advanced training in the chronic or acute diseases and conditions that may lead to a terminal diagnosis,” Rodat says.

In addition, family caregivers also need support and a plan of care based on a professional needs assessment.

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“To support family caregivers we also need better workplace policies, including paid family leave, sick days and flexible work schedules,” she says.

Read the full article here

Written by Cassandra Dowell

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