Glossary

What is Home health aide?

A home health aide is a trained, usually certified, worker who provides personal care at home, often under a nurse's supervision as part of a home health agency's service.

The title is regulated in most states and involves a set number of training hours and a competency test. Aides from a Medicare-certified home health agency may be covered by Medicare for short periods after a hospital stay, when a nurse or therapist is also involved.

For ongoing dementia care, the same work is usually paid privately or through Medicaid.

Why it matters

It is the credential to ask about when hiring, and the route by which Medicare occasionally pays for hands-on care.

Home health aide where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

All terms