aides

An aide is a person who assists a more senior individual or organization by handling tasks that support operations, decision-making, and outreach. The plural form aides refers to multiple such assistants. The term is broad and covers roles across many sectors, from government and business to healthcare and education. Aides provide administrative, technical, or logistical support, often acting as a bridge between the principal and other stakeholders.

Common types of aides include administrative and executive aides who manage scheduling, correspondence, and information flow in offices; legislative aides who help lawmakers with policy research, constituent services, and communications; and military aides-de-camp who assist senior officers with planning and ceremonial duties. In healthcare and social services, nursing aides or nurse aides (CNAs) assist patients with basic care and daily activities, while home health aides support individuals in their homes. In education, teacher’s aides or teaching assistants support classrooms with instruction and supervision.

Training and qualifications vary by role and jurisdiction. Nursing aides typically require state-certified training and competency examinations. Home health aides may need to complete agency training and, in some places, certification. Administrative and legislative aides often benefit from formal education in fields such as business, public administration, or political science, along with strong organizational and communication skills. Overall, aides perform essential support functions that enable professionals to focus on primary responsibilities.