Personal Care Aides

Personal Care Aides (PCA) provide help to elderly, disabled, or sick people. Their clients usually require a more significant amount of care than their family and friends can provide. PCAs typically travel to the client’s home but can sometimes work with the client outside their home.

They work with small children whose parents are incapable of caring for themselves or their children. PCAs also work with discharged hospital patients with short-term needs. They differ from home health aides because they do not provide health-related services but rather routine personal care.

This routine personal care often includes:

PCAs work with the clients’ families regarding nutrition, cleanliness, and household tasks. Under the supervision of a nurse, they sometimes toilet train children who are severely mentally disabled. Sometimes they may sit and listen to clients discuss their everyday challenges and problems. PCAs give their clients a certain level of psychological and emotional support.