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The Department of Labor says personal care aide and home health aide positions are the second and third fastest-growing occupations in the country. These occupations also provide between 70 and 80 percent of paid hands on care for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Of the 30 fastest growing occupations, they are also the two least paying (with an average annual median wage in 2012 of $19,900 and $20,800, respectively). Because of low wages, lack of benefits, and often-strenuous work, the vacancy and turnover rates for direct care work is high. It’s estimated that turnover rates amongst home care workers are between 44 and 65 percent. This occurs right at the time when we must be strengthening the workforce to care for older adults, nearly 90 percent of whom want to age at home.
How can we meet the market demands for more care at home and ensure this critical workforce is respected and recognized for their contribution? The Eldercare Workforce Alliance, in a recently released brief, offers one proposal. While not a cure-all, the creation of an Advanced Direct Care Worker position – a rung in the career ladder above home health or personal care aides - may help to address the challenges we face in providing quality care to older adults across all settings.
How can we meet the market demands for more care at home and ensure this critical workforce is respected and recognized for their contribution? The Eldercare Workforce Alliance, in a recently released brief, offers one proposal. While not a cure-all, the creation of an Advanced Direct Care Worker position – a rung in the career ladder above home health or personal care aides - may help to address the challenges we face in providing quality care to older adults across all settings.