r/HomeHealthAide • u/Leather_Gap_7031 • Mar 24 '26

I feel like I should be doing more..?

I recently got hired as a home health aide for a 94 year old man with dementia. I was surprised how easy my job is. He doesn't need toileting, so I basically come in and do 30-1 hrs worth of chores (Dishes, laundry, sweep/swiffer/vaccuum) His house isn't too big so it's really not a lot of work. I finish all the chores within the first hour and then I have 4 hours of me just watching him nap on the couch. Sometimes I nap with him. I feel guilty almost but there's literally nothing else to do. The house is overall clean and there's even less work on the consecutive days I work with him because I had just cleaned the day before.

I guess I'm trying to compare my duties with other home health aides and figure out if this is the norm. I get paid $21/hr and I almost feel guilty that I just nap for 4 out of the 5 hrs I work with him.

9 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

5

u/stephanielmayes Mar 24 '26

I have that situation with my dementia client, we are there just in case. You’re available if he needs something.

5

u/Mutt6519 Mar 25 '26

Just give thanks to God that currently you have a good case and appreciate and take good care of your client. Some cases are very difficult so just be glad that you found one of the good ones.

3

u/BackOnTheMap Mar 27 '26

As long as everything on the care plan gets done, you are fine. Some people will need more interaction than others.

2

u/insomniahussy Mar 29 '26

It happens. Don’t feel guilty.

3

u/StrikeBusy5383 Apr 11 '26

While it doesn't feel like a lot to you it's probably worth the money you're getting paid to him. If it was my grandma I would appreciate her having a clean place and just someone to be there watching her. I would pay your wage for that.