Home Support, Housekeepers, and Related Workers
(NOC 4412)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesHome support workers provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities, and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client's residence, in which the home support worker may also live. They work for home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed. Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private households and other non-institutional, residential settings.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Many home support workers were laid off or unemployed during the first wave of COVID-19 cases. Some of those providing nonessential services to clients opted to reduce or suspend visits to limit the spread of the virus to vulnerable individuals. Some home support workers contracted COVID-19 in the performance of their duties, leading to a shortage of workers to serve the needs of clientele. The requirements of heightened sanitization and physical distancing have altered the tasks performed by home support workers somewhat.
Prospects for home support workers are good. There are generally many job openings relative to the number employed in this occupation. The aging population and the growing preference for home delivery of health services has increased demand for home support workers overall.
The median employment income for the 38% of Home Support Workers, Housekeepers, and Related Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $35,893. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, the 59% of those who worked full-time, year-round had a median employment income of $43,600. (Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$17.93
Median$21.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,866
Minimum$21,303
Median$42,294
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Home support workers provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities, and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client's residence, in which the home support worker may also live. They work for home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed. Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private households and other non-institutional, residential settings.
Job duties
Home support workers:
- Provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, recovery, or family disruption.
- Administer bedside and personal care to clients like aid in bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and undressing.
- Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or help feed clients.
- May do routine health-related duties like changing non-sterile dressings, helping administering medications and collecting specimens under the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse.
- May perform routine housekeeping duties like laundry, washing dishes and making beds.
Housekeepers:
- Perform housekeeping and other home management duties under general direction of employer.
- Plan and prepare meals independently or with employer and may serve meals.
- May care for children.
Sample job titles
- doula
- home health care worker
- home support worker
- home-care worker
- housekeeper
- live-in caregiver - persons with disabilities
- personal care aide - home care
- personal care attendant - home care
- respite worker - home support
- visiting homemaker
Skills
You should have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You must be efficient, yet sensitive to the needs of clients.
Job requirements
- Some high school education is usually required.
- College or other courses in home support may be required.
- First aid certification may be required.
- Completion of a training program in care of the elderly, care of persons with disabilities, convalescent care or in a related field may be required.
Other considerations
Employment opportunities are often part-time or casual, with shift work required. People in these jobs may be required to work in various locations over the period of a day. Home management experience may be required. There is mobility among the jobs in this group.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration
Retail trade
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$26,132 median annual incomeHigh school
$17,353 median annual incomeLess than high school
$14,733 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$30,261 median annual incomeBachelor
$24,249 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramThe Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Human Services
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepare students to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. They include courses in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Institutions providing this program
Stellarton, NS
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.