7 Key Takeaways
-
1
Demand for home care is rising among older adults.
-
2
There is a critical labor shortage in the home care sector.
-
3
Average hourly pay for aides is $34, but they earn less than $1
-
4
Many workers are in low-income brackets and live with public assistance.
-
5
Cooperatives are reducing turnover and increasing worker satisfaction.
-
6
Training programs improve care and patient outcomes.
-
7
Funding for mid-class long-term care is inadequate.
As older adults increasingly prefer to age at home, the demand for home care has surged, driven by a growing aging population and chronic health challenges. However, the sector faces a critical labor shortage, with compensation issues and high turnover rates among home care aides hindering effective service delivery. Innovative solutions like worker-owned cooperatives and digital registries are emerging to improve job conditions and connect caregivers to clients. Research indicates training can enhance care quality, yet systemic funding solutions remain inadequate for the middle-class population.
Listen Tab content