Home Health Aide Services in Columbus (2025)
In Columbus, families are asking more questions than ever about home health aides. It’s not hard to see why. Seniors want to remain at home, adult children are juggling work and caregiving, and the cost of facility care continues to rise. Aides bridge the gap — they provide hands-on help, companionship, and consistency right inside the home.
But if you’re exploring options in 2025, you likely have more than one question. What exactly do aides do? How are they trained? How much does it cost in Columbus today? And perhaps the biggest decision: is hourly care enough, or does your family need a live-in aide?
What Do Home Health Aides Actually Do?
When people hear “home health aide,” the duties may sound vague at first. In reality, aides are the ones who step in for the everyday tasks that keep life moving.
- Bathing, grooming, and help with dressing
- Supporting safe movement from chair to bed or room to room
- Preparing simple meals and reminding clients to eat
- Light cleaning and laundry to keep the home safe and comfortable
- Spending time with clients — conversation, games, or even short walks
The difference between an aide and a nurse is important. Nurses provide medical care; aides focus on personal care and daily living support. It’s the combination of practical help and human connection that makes aides so valuable.
Progressive Home Care explains this clearly in their Home Health Aide Services section. Families can see how these services fit into the bigger picture of non-medical support.
Training and Certification in Ohio
Families often ask, “Are these aides really trained?” The short answer is yes. Ohio requires aides to complete instruction that covers safety, personal care, and communication.
Training usually includes:
- How to help with hygiene and mobility safely
- Emergency awareness — when to call for medical help
- Proper nutrition basics and safe food prep
- Communicating with clients respectfully and clearly
Certification adds another layer. A certified home health aide has completed state-approved coursework and testing. While not every aide is certified, more and more families in Columbus prefer that option in 2025. Certification gives reassurance that the aide has been evaluated, not just trained informally.
It’s also worth noting the rising demand. Job postings for HHAs in Columbus have increased in the past year, showing how essential they’ve become for local families.
What Does It Cost in Columbus (2025)?
Cost is always part of the conversation. In Columbus, aides are most often paid by the hour. The rates aren’t identical everywhere, and they’ve shifted upward in 2025 because of two factors: growing demand and a shortage of workers.
Hourly rates depend on several things:
- Experience level of the aide
- Certification or advanced training
- The number of hours per week
- Type of duties expected (basic personal care vs. more extensive support)
Families should expect a range rather than one fixed number. The best part of hourly care is flexibility — you can start with a few hours a week and adjust as needs change.
Progressive offers a breakdown of Non-Skilled Services, helping families understand what’s included and how to plan for costs.
Coverage and Payment Options
Many people hope Medicare or Medicaid will cover the expense entirely. The reality is more complicated.
Medicare
Only covers aide services when they are tied to a physician’s plan of care, usually for a short time. It does not pay for ongoing daily support.
Medicaid PASSPORT (Ohio)
This program is more flexible for seniors who qualify. PASSPORT can cover non-medical help, including aides, which allows people to remain at home longer.
Private Pay and Insurance
Still the most common route. Long-term care insurance may offset part of the cost, but direct payment is often required.
Working with a home health aide agency in Columbus OH makes navigating these options much easier. Agencies handle paperwork and guide families through available benefits.
Live-In vs Hourly Aides: Which Is Best?
This is the question families debate most. Should you hire an aide by the hour or consider a live-in option? The answer depends on your situation.
Hourly Aides
- Flexible — you decide how many hours are needed
- Works well for families who can provide care for part of the day
- Lower overall cost if needs are limited
- Common choice for companionship, errands, or bathing support
Live-In Aides
- Stay in the home and provide around-the-clock presence
- More expensive, but eliminates gaps in care
- Best fit for individuals with significant needs or those who cannot be left alone
- Helpful for families who live out of town or have demanding work schedules
In Columbus, hourly is often the first choice because it’s affordable and adaptable. But live-in care offers peace of mind that nothing will be missed. For many, the decision comes down to balancing cost, lifestyle, and the level of care required.
Why Families Choose Progressive Home Care
Plenty of agencies exist, but families in Columbus keep turning to Progressive. The reason is consistency. Progressive combines professional standards with a personal approach that smaller agencies or independent providers can’t always guarantee.
- Every aide is trained and screened
- Scheduling options fit family needs, not agency convenience
- Local knowledge builds trust — aides know Columbus neighborhoods
- Families can rely on dependable service without constant turnover
This balance of reliability and compassion is what sets Progressive apart from other providers in Franklin County.
Service Areas in Columbus and Franklin County
Progressive Home Care serves the greater Columbus region and nearby communities, including:
Home Health Aides in Columbus
What do home health aides help with?
They assist with bathing, grooming, mobility, meal prep, light cleaning, and companionship.
How much does a home health aide cost in Columbus, OH?
Costs vary by training, schedule, and duties. In 2025, hourly rates have increased but remain flexible.
What’s the difference between live-in and hourly aides?
Hourly aides cover set shifts. Live-in aides remain in the home for continuous care. Each option has unique benefits.
Are aides required to be certified in Ohio?
Not always, but certification is strongly preferred. Certified aides have completed formal state-recognized training.
Call Progressive Home Care Today
Making the right decision about care can be stressful, but you don’t have to do it alone. Progressive Home Care is here to guide Columbus families through every step — from understanding duties and training to weighing hourly costs against live-in care.
Call (614) 396-6393 today to talk with a care coordinator and learn how Progressive Home Care can support your loved one in 2025.