Caregivers and credentials
Personal care aide (PCA)
A personal care aide (PCA) is a non-medical caregiver who helps with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, and errands, and often provides company. PCAs are not medical professionals and do not give skilled medical care. Training rules differ by state and employer.
Why it matters for your family
PCAs make up much of the home care workforce. They help older adults stay at home, with tasks from meals to bathing. Because they are not nurses, they should not give injections, change wound dressings, or give medicine. Training and state rules vary, so ask each provider what it requires. Medicaid programs in some states pay for personal care services for eligible people. A common mistake is expecting a PCA to handle medical needs. Ask the doctor which tasks need a nurse. Check references, screening, and how the employer supports its caregivers.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Read more: Personal and advanced care
Related terms
- Personal carePersonal care is hands-on help with daily self-care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving around.
- Home health aide (HHA)A home health aide (HHA) helps people at home with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and moving around, and may help with simple health tasks under a nurse's direction.
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA)A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a trained worker who gives basic care, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, moving patients, and taking vital signs, under the supervision of a nurse.
- Companion careCompanion care is non-medical home care that focuses on company and everyday help.
- Medicaid personal care servicesMedicaid personal care services are hands-on help with daily activities that Medicaid pays for.
- Background checkA background check is a review of a person's records before hiring.
