A Policy Form to Be Given to All Home Health Care Aide Applicants

by

Renae Clare

Having had MS for 40 years has given me many coping mechanisms. One of the things that I have learned is how to set and keep the boundaries between employer and employee. In the comprehensive list below you can learn how to set boundaries and what is expected of a home health aide.

Policy Form to Be Given to All Home Health Care Aide Applicants You must go through an intensive training program and be able to complete certain tasks, which include: — You must be able to lift and transfer the person in your care to and from the toilet, bed, shower, wheelchair, or anywhere else the patient wishes to go in a safe and strong manner, not putting him or her in any danger. Learn how to properly and safely help your patient to transfer and move about. — You must always retain a professional manner, not discussing your personal problems, money problems, health issues, or your family information. You are there to care for your patient, not to burden him/her with problems of your own. — You must not take or make personal calls while you are on the job. Handle your personal life when you are on your own time. — You must pay attention to your patient and do things that he or she requests in a manner that you are told. — You must never ask for food or drinks other than water while you are on your job. — Do not take advantage of your patient’s disability in any way, shape, or form. Your patient has you there because there are things that he/she can no longer do. He/she is in a vulnerable position, and taking advantage of him/her is unconscionable and will not be tolerated. — Be on time. If you find it necessary to be late or cannot be there on the appointed day, make sure that you call your patient as soon as possible. Do not make the patient wait for you unnecessarily, thereby causing him/her stress and making him/her have to adjust his/her schedule to suit yours. And never make the patient have to track you down by calling you or the agency that has hired you. — The person in your charge is your boss, and you will act accordingly by being polite, cheerful, and caring and by doing a professional and thorough job with whatever task is asked of you, just as you would with any other employer. — Do not rush or cut corners so that you can get out of there as soon as possible. You are being paid with taxpayer money or money from the patient him/herself or his/her family, and therefore, you are expected to work hard and not to make excuses for a substandard work ethic. — Laziness will not be tolerated. If you are asked to do something, do it with a concentrated effort and to the best of your ability. Take personal pride in your work, knowing that you are doing something of worth and importance. Not everyone is able to take on being a home health care aide, and if you do your job well, you are invaluable. — Make sure that you ask your patient if there is anything else you can do for him/her before you leave. Make sure that he/she is comfortable and satisfied with the work you have done for him/her. — If you have any questions about where something belongs or how the patient would like something to be done, ask him/her. Don’t just put things where you feel like it or do things your own way no matter the consequences. — Just because the person in your care has a disability does not mean that he/she is ignorant or not aware of your actions. Realize that it is hard for people with disabilities to ask for help and to be assertive, so it is up to you to make sure that things are done for their convenience and not for yours. — Never put your patient in an uncomfortable position of having to be afraid of you or to feel that you will take measures to intimidate him/her by being verbally or physically abusive or by your body language. To do so is not only immoral but also illegal, and if you are such a person, you must be prepared to take the consequences. — Do not ever ask your patient for money. It is cause for immediate dismissal. — Do not complain about circumstances in your own life. The person in your care has enough to worry about and should not be put under any more stress than he/she already has. — If you are tired or having a bad day, do not take it out on your patient. More than likely, he or she is having a much worse day than you are. — Theft of any kind will not be tolerated; it is unconscionable, illegal, and cause for immediate dismissal as well as prosecution. — If your patient is in a wheelchair or lying in bed, do not hover over him/her, thereby making the person uncomfortable because you are in a higher position. It is rude to your patient, and your job is to make him/her feel as good about him/herself as you possibly can. — Always treat the person in your care as you would wish to be treated if you were in his/her situation. Be compassionate, caring, and helpful. There may come a day when you yourself will need the help of an aide. Act as the aide that you would wish to have in your home taking care of you.

http://msrenaeclare.blogspot.com/

my blog writing concerns information, life experiences and a profane sense of humor. I have had MS for 40 years have written a book entitled Potty Mouth which is in production and will be released shortly. The book is about my life living with MS and my trials and tribulations I have lived throughout my life.I wrote for my therapy sessions and put them into book form and now I passing my knowledge on to others in spite of multiple sclerosis.

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A Policy Form to Be Given to All Home Health Care Aide Applicants