Most of the health care aide programs are offered as certificates, rather than diplomas. These programs teach students to provide basic patient care through lecture classes and hands-on training.

Essential Information of the Course

Studying to become a home health aide could lead to a rewarding career that is growing quickly. Students in home health care aide programs learn to perform tasks that may include helping patients get dressed, eat and move. Students also learn to do basic housekeeping and maintain a safe environment for patients. The program length is typically one semester and can prepare graduates to earn state-mandated or voluntary certifications.

Students in these programs prepare to handle emergency situations, meet nutrition standards and care for people with common diseases and disorders. For some positions, home health care aides must be certified. Students should make sure any program they are considering meets their state's regulations. Some common courses include:

• Nutrition standards
• Emergency procedures
• Rehabilitation techniques
• Common diseases and disorders
• Human anatomy