The Difference Between a PCA & HHA

The primary difference between a PCA (Personal Care Aide) and a HHA (Home Health Aide) is the level of training.  Although both jobs involve personal care, the HHA receives specialized training and can attend to more complex diet regimes, handle simple dressing changes and take basic vital signs.  A PCA would be utilized for tasks such as bathing, shopping, home making and running errands.  The choice of utilizing one verses the other depends on the level of the patient’s medical needs and in some cases is mandated by the client’s insurance.

Personal Care Aides provide assistance with the following:

  • Companionship
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Walking Exercise
  • Turning Clients
  • Continence Care
  • Bathing
  • Medication Reminders
  • Dressing and Grooming
  • Meal Preparation
  • Overnight Monitoring
  • Escorting to Medical Appointments
  • Toileting
  • Ambulation and Transfer
  • Basic Skin Care
  • Housekeeping and Laundry
  • Shopping and Errands

Home Health Aides can do all of the tasks a Personal Care Aide can do and in addition have specialized training to attend to the following medical procedures:

  • Attend to Diet Regimens
  • Skin Care
  • Assist with Braces and Artificial Limbs
  • Changing Simple Dressings
  • Taking Basic Vital Signs (Pulse, Respiration, Temperature)

  • Attend to Diet Regimens
  • Skin Care
  • Assist with Braces and Artificial Limbs
  • Changing Simple Dressings
  • Taking Basic Vital Signs (Pulse, Respiration, Temperature)
  • Attend to Diet Regimens
  • Skin Care
  • Assist with Braces and Artificial Limbs
  • Changing Simple Dressings
  • Taking Basic Vital Signs (Pulse, Respiration, Temperature)