Health care aides give daily care and support to people who are ill, elderly or living with a disability. Much of the job is personal care and helping someone move safely through their day, and a lot of it is company. The work is physical, shifts fall outside normal office hours, and many employers add group health and dental benefits to the hourly wage.
This guide covers what the job involves day to day, the hours, what care aides earn, the qualities the work asks of you, and why the role matters most to seniors. It also covers what training in Calgary looks like and how to handle your first weeks in a home care job.
Have you ever thought about working in health care? It’s one of the most in-demand careers right now and it’s a fantastic way to make a positive difference. And if you like helping people, there is one position that you might be perfect for: a Healthcare Aide.
What do Health Care Aides do?
Healthcare aides, sometimes referred to as care aides, provide care and support to patients who are ill, elderly or disabled.
Care aides do many different things like:
• Helping people take baths.
• Helping people get dressed.
• Helping people who can’t feed themselves.
• Take people from their beds to their wheelchairs.
• Make sure the people they help are safe.
In your role as a Healthcare Aide, you’ll be instrumental in:
Providing critical personal care to those in need
Establishing meaningful relationships with patients and their families
Easing patients’ feelings of isolation through companionship
Assisting with physical rehabilitation, aiding recovery and promoting independence
Ensuring a safe, clean and comforting environment for patients
What kind of work schedule do HCAs have?
Healthcare aides have flexible work hours. They could go to work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or they might work from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Healthcare aides also work some weekends and holidays.
When health care aides are at work, they stand and move around a lot. They have to lift things and pull things. They sometimes have to move wheelchairs around.
No matter what, a healthcare aide is always patient and kind. They do not get mad or overreact. They are dependable and loyal.
How much money do HCAs make?
A care aide usually makes between $15.61 and $24.92 per hour. Many employers offer group health and dental benefits.
There is a lot of room to learn and grow in a career like a health care aide. Many people even move up into supervisor positions after they get experienced.
Why health care aide work is rewarding
If you’re tired of bouncing from one low paying, unsatisfying job to the next, consider becoming a health care aide.
Not only is the money good, but you’ll feel good about being able to help the elderly, the sick, and the most vulnerable people in our society.
Five reasons the work is rewarding
- You make a positive difference in people’s lives. In your job as a health care aide, you’ll be giving companionship and care to people who need it most.
- You can enjoy a flexible schedule. Health care aides enjoy flexible hours, and you can work as much or as little as you want.
- You’ll help people who need it most. As a health care aide, you’ll help people who are ill, elderly, or have a disability. Some patients require short-term assistance while others may need ongoing support. HCAs work with patients who have chronic and complex medical conditions, physical or cognitive disabilities, and people who require end-of-life care.
- You’ll experience a lot of professional growth. As you develop your career as a health care aide, you’ll continue to learn and grow over time. There are many training opportunities available.
- The demand is high for health care aides. Now more than ever, health care aides are needed in society. There are plenty of job openings available- and good ones too.
In this role, you’ll experience a high level of job satisfaction, with varied experiences, continuous learning, and the privilege of making a real difference in people’s lives.
Is there demand for health care aides in Alberta?
Healthcare Aides are crucial to the quality of care that people receive in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and more. Because of this, HCAs are in high demand in Alberta. If you are looking for a career in health care that will provide you with rewarding and consistent work for better pay, look no further than HCA.
The demand for certified Health Care Aides to work as home care aides over the next decade is expected to be very strong, driven by the aging baby boomers and the desire for in-home healthcare services.
Why seniors need care aides
When a senior needs assistance with living, a critical member of the healthcare team is ready for the task. Care aides for seniors do some of the most important work with this population. Here, we discuss why this role is so important as well as the reality surrounding senior care.
The struggles vulnerable seniors face
We’re all taught from childhood that it’s important to be kind to others. We even call it “the golden rule” – treat others as you would like to be treated. When you get into your elder years, how would you like to be treated? Chances are, you’d like to have your basic needs, like housing, mobility, hygiene, nutrition, and socialization, met and cared for. So why are the needs of the vulnerable senior population so often neglected?
The reality is, frankly, horrifying. Seniors without somebody to care for them are often low-income, struggle to afford and execute personal and medical care, have limited mobility, and have little social interaction. It’s not just a low quality of life; it’s no way to live at all. Nobody deserves to live without having their basic needs met simply because they outlived their loved ones or otherwise became estranged from their families.
How care aides support the elderly
Some people naturally feel a pull to help people in this situation. Their caring personalities lead them to pursue careers supporting the elderly, becoming the caretakers, advocates, and friends that these seniors so desperately need. There are few more admirable or noble career choices.
In addition to assisting the elderly with their feeding, hygiene, and physical movement, health care aides and community support workers serve as emotional supporters and friends. They play the critical role of being a senior’s social network.
Why social interaction matters for seniors
It’s easy to underestimate the value of having somebody to talk to when it’s not missing from your life, but the social interaction that we take so for granted is one of the most important factors in a person’s quality of life. Even just being present as a listening ear, or telling stories from one’s own life, can have a significant positive impact on a senior’s mood, happiness, and well-being.
Studies have shown that social interaction is critical for everybody’s mental and physical health, but especially so for seniors. Social relationships are consistently associated with biomarkers of health, such as lower levels of interleukin-6, a factor in many common age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and some types of cancer.
What loneliness does to health
As discussed, social connection fosters better health outcomes in all populations. In contrast, feelings of loneliness have a significant negative impact. People who are lonely frequently have elevated systolic blood pressure, and loneliness is a risk factor for symptoms of depression. Additionally, social isolation, especially in older adults, is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Having a social support system can literally be the difference between life and death.
Sometimes, a senior doesn’t have family left, or they live across the country. Fortunately, they can rely on the support afforded to them through universal healthcare as well as private care options. Care aides may work directly with seniors in their homes or high-end retirement facilities. There is no limit to where or how a care aide can make a difference in an elderly person’s life.
The elder care line of work isn’t for everybody. It requires the strength to face the harsh realities of life, with all of its good and bad, on a daily basis. But it is important, meaningful work that makes an undeniable impact. The elderly need somebody to care for them. Could that person be you?
What it takes to work as a health care aide in Alberta
In order to be a healthcare aide, you must be healthy, and you must like to work with people. You need to be dependable and always go to work on time. Remember, the people you take care of are counting on you.
It’s important that you get along with your co-workers and ask for help when you need it. There are some tasks that are too hard for one person to do alone; that’s a good example of when you would ask for help.
You must be good at keeping information private. There are a lot of rules about keeping people’s information safe.
Starting your first job as a home care aide
Imagine this… You graduated from your Health Care Aide program, and you’ve just received a job offer to work as a home care aide. You accept the job offer and get excited to start a new career.
Maybe you get a little nervous too.
Starting a new job can be stressful, but don’t worry. You are going to do great. Here are 5 things you should do to be successful in a job as a home care aide.
Stay humble
Remember that as a home care aide, you’ll be helping people who are going through a challenging time. They might be dealing with an illness, chronic condition, or unexpected accident.
You are a guest in their house. Yes, you help them do many things. But they can help teach you things too. A big part of being a home health aide is forming relationships, getting to know people and their families.
Be part of the team
Home care aides are a part of a larger group of medical professionals that all work together. They support one another and exchange advice.
You will also get to know the people you help and their families. Many family members are caretakers, too, and will talk with home care aides.
Knowing how to collaborate with all of these people will help you a lot. The client will have greater healing and peace of mind knowing that all the people they care about are working together.
Be compassionate
Many people choose to stay at home instead of at a hospital because they are more comfortable there. When a health care aide comes into their house, they are putting their trust in that person. That’s why it’s so important that you make a good impression.
As a health care aide, you should always be compassionate. When you enter someone’s home, make them feel comfortable, and treat them with kindness. When you help clients, you’ll be forming a bond with them, and they’ll count on you.
Always go to work on time
Being a home care aide is a special type of job. You work with people who are vulnerable or sick, and they rely on your help to get them through the day. When you’re scheduled to be at their home, they count on you to be there.
Being reliable helps the client feel more peace of mind and trust. It also helps you look professional and build a good reputation.
Know how to keep things private
Home care aides see the most intimate and private parts of people’s lives. They help people through very tough challenges and get to know them and their families. It’s important that health care aides always remember that what they do is confidential (private.)
Forming a trusting relationship with your client will be very meaningful. You will get to know your clients on a deeper level, and it will help you understand how to make their lives better.
What education do Care Aides need?
ABES College offers an industry-leading adult education program for people who want to become a health care aide.
To qualify for the program, applicants need to submit high school transcripts or take an academic assessment test. If your first language is not English, you may also need to complete a language assessment in order to qualify for admission.
You can start your career by enrolling in a Healthcare Aide program at your local college.
For those in Calgary, the HCA program at ABES College offers maximum flexibility for students from all walks of life. We offer many start dates throughout the year, and in most cases, you can choose between daytime or evening/weekend class schedules to meet your needs.
With your education through ABES College, we also ensure that you receive favourable placement in a relevant practicum role. Many times, these roles lead to job offers upon graduation, or inform you of what the exact role you’d like to fill in your future career might be.
Why students choose ABES College
ABES is a small, privately owned school that provides not only traditional instruction but also places a priority on hands-on training. This means that in addition to learning in our labs, students will complete a practicum in the Calgary area. Employers look for students with hands-on skills, and our students are often hired during their Practicum experience.
Additionally, ABES has a long history of partnering with the medical community and this is of great assistance in offering employment opportunities to our graduates.
Finally, ABES offers career placement services to our students so that they may enter the workforce as soon as possible after completing the program.
ABES College is a private vocational college in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that specializes in health care training programs.
We are a heart-focused organization that really cares about students. We understand the emotional challenges of immigration, setting up a family in a new country, and making the decision to invest in your education. Many of our staff have gone through the same journey!
You’ll be supported every step of the way.
Worried about money? When you go to ABES College, you’ll be surrounded by people who are supporting you every step of the way.
Related reading
- Getting from health care training into a job
- Community support worker questions answered
- How to pay for training at ABES College
Talk to an advisor about health care aide training
ABES College runs the Health Care Aide program in Calgary. An ABES College advisor can go through entrance requirements, upcoming intakes and funding options with you.
