Hi everyone, I'm in the process of looking for some help with my elderly father's care, and I'm a bit stuck between hiring a Home Health Aide (HHA) or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). He's mostly homebound, has some mobility issues, early-stage dementia, and needs help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, light meals, and some medication reminders. I'm not looking for medical treatments at home, but I do want someone who is trained and dependable. I've seen job titles overlap a lot, and it's not always clear what the real differences are. Also, I want to make sure whoever we bring into the home can make him feel comfortable and safe. If anyone has experience hiring either HHA or CNA for similar situations, I'd really appreciate some honest input—what were the pros or cons in your case? Thanks in advance.
Just chiming in with my two cents—my mom has late-stage arthritis and some memory issues too, and we've gone through both HHAs and CNAs at different points. One thing I noticed is that personality fit ended up mattering a lot more than the exact certification, especially when it came to building trust and communication with my mom. The CNA we had first was super capable and knowledgeable but came from a hospital background and seemed a bit too task-oriented for what we needed at home
Hey, I was in a very similar situation with my aunt about a year ago, and I know the decision can be confusing at first. Based on what you're describing, both HHAs and CNAs can technically do the tasks you need help with—personal hygiene, meal prep, basic companionship—but there are a few important distinctions. I ended up doing some research before deciding. In terms of training, CNAs typically go through a more comprehensive program that includes clinical hours in a healthcare setting. They're trained to monitor vital signs and often work in hospitals or long-term care facilities, which is great if you're expecting some medical complexities. On the other hand, HHAs are more focused on assisting with daily living activities inside the client's home and may receive training that's specifically tailored to in-home care situations. What helped me decide was reading up on the differences between an hha vs cna (https://www.newcenturypa.com/caregiver-academy/caregiver-vs-cna/). It gave me some clarity on which role is more home-centered and which one leans toward clinical work. For your father, if you're not expecting medical procedures but want someone who can still support his routine and help him stay comfortable, a well-trained HHA might be a better fit. But if you're anticipating needing someone to recognize early signs of health issues or assist more closely with physical conditions, a CNA could offer that additional layer of assurance.