Abstract
[This is an excerpt.] Demographic and policy trends in the United States have combined to create unprecedented demand for home-based, long-term care services for the elderly, with expected growth for decades to come. Home care workers like home health and personal care aides provide most of the care for the increasing elderly population, many of whom have chronic and complex medical and social needs and prefer to age at home. Despite the critical role of those providing this care,home care workers are undervalued, underpaid, and rarely acknowledged as members of client health care teams. This undervaluation contributes to low job satisfaction and high home care worker turnover and attrition, which may negatively affect clients’ health and employers’ bottom lines. As a result, advocates argue that opportunities for skill and career advancement for homecare workers can improve their job quality, satisfaction, and livelihoods while also contributing to positive downstream outcomes for clients, employers, and even health systems. This report, Advancing the Home Care Workforce: A Review of Program Approaches, Evidence,and the Challenges of Widespread Adoption, was commissioned by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.Foundation with an objective to examine program approaches to advance the roles of home care workers with a deeper dive into some of the contextual factors that may impact uptake specifically in in Western New York and Southeast Michigan due to the Foundation’s geographic focus in these two regions. Findings emerged from a literature review and interviews with content experts representing a range of stakeholder groups. [To read more, click View Resource.]
This resource is found in our Actionable Strategies for Health Organizations: Meaningful Rewards& Recognition (Career Supports and Development)
