Advice to new home health aides

  Home Health Aide/ HHA, Personal Care Aide/ PCA.  That's what i am.  That's what i do.  It's a job that I continue to find my way back to. 

  Being a home health care provider is not an easy job, but it's a rewarding one.   Don't get me wrong, you'll have easy clients.  The ones that just want to sit and chat,  or watch movies,  or bake, or make crafts, or play cards, etc.   And the memories you make are amazing.  Your client becomes apart of your family,  and you apart of there's.   They make your time at work incredibly enjoyable and you are so so very thankful for your job.  And for them.  These clients are so appreciative of you, and everything you do.  They treat you with respect and love.  And you just enjoy working for them,  and they enjoy your company.

You'll also have some difficult clients.   The ones who feel their way is the only way and they will ride a stick up your behind until you do it exactly how they want it done ( no, not literally) .  But you'll get aggrevated.  These clients make you feel as if everything you do is never good enough.  You start to feel unappreciated.    You may get upset.  But you have to stay professional and keep your composure.   This isn't about you.  They may be confused,  or embarrassed, and frustrated that they can't do the things they were once able to do.  Try your best to understand.  They don't want to need your help.  But they need you.

You'll have clients that will insult you, be little you, and treat you as if you're stupid.   You aren't.  And please try not to take it personal.  More than likely they don't mean the hurtful words they are saying, and are just frustrated with their situation.

  You will clean homes, wipe butts, give baths, scrub heads, massage feet,  run errands and get so worn out you can't think straight.  The job is hardly ever clean.  You'll deal with poop and pee, vomit, and sores.  It's all part of the job.  Handle it with grace.  Most likely they are embarrassed that you have to clean up their mess, or have to see them naked in the shower.  It's a human body, get over it.  Treat them with the utmost respect and love them and care for them like you would want your future self to be treated.

They need us.  And believe it or not we need them.  They become apart of your family and I promise you'll miss them when their gone. ❤ stay humble and kind always.

- Megan