A home health aide provides hands-on personal care that helps seniors manage daily living safely at home.
What does a home health aide do?
A home health aide (HHA) provides hands-on personal care: help with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, incontinence care, transferring, and walking. Aides also assist with meal prep, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and monitoring a senior's condition. When part of a Medicare home health plan, aide visits support a doctor-ordered treatment goal and work alongside nurses or therapists. Aides complete state-required training and competency testing. They bridge the gap between non-medical companion care and skilled nursing, focusing on activities of daily living.
How much does a home health aide cost?
The 2025 national median for a home health aide is about $34 per hour, per Genworth's Cost of Care Survey, with wide regional variation. A 20-hour week runs roughly $2,800–$3,000 monthly. Medicare may cover aide visits at no cost when they're part of a qualifying skilled home health plan for a homebound senior. Otherwise, aides are paid privately or through Medicaid, VA benefits, or long-term care insurance. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP for local rates and coverage help.