Industry News

As the need for care continues to rise, the roles of direct care workers and family caregivers are absolutely vital. Together, these caregivers form the common thread that weaves through the fabric of our long-term care system.

Gray Panthers NYC addresses divisive nursing home staffing standards proposed by federal regulators. Through documentaries, webinars, and the Unity Series, they unite diverse stakeholders for positive change in elder.

The National Dementia Workforce Study (NDWS) is being launched through an $81 million cooperative agreement with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to develop and field new annual national surveys of the dementia care workforce, including physicians, nurses, and direct care workers across multiple care settings. The mission of NDWS is to launch the surveys successfully and, of equal importance, to build data infrastructure and dissemination to ensure NDWS becomes a resource for the broader community of researchers and policymakers. This collaborative, interdisciplinary endeavor is led by teams at the University of Michigan and the University of California, San Francisco, with several other university-based and non-profit partners.

The Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) landscape in the United States is at a critical juncture. A recent report highlighted that all states reported shortages of HCBS workers, most frequently among direct support professionals, personal care attendants, nursing staff, and home health aides. Additionally, most (43) states reported permanent closures of HCBS providers within the last year. The crisis is real, and it harms workers, individuals receiving services, and family members alike.

In a bipartisan effort to address the ongoing staffing crisis in the nation’s nursing homes, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have taken the lead in urging the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize and implement proposed rules aimed at setting minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes. This step is seen as crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of the 1.2 million residents in these facilities.

Home care workers are a lifeline to millions of older adults and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, many of these workers are walking away from this sector to pursue better-paying jobs. As a result, it’s nearly impossible to find and retain a highly qualified home care worker these days.

In this episode of A Question of Care™, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Dr. Madeline Sterling, a doctor, researcher, and professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. They dive into her studies on home care workers, what they reveal about this job sector, and how the U.S. should transform these jobs to benefit everyone.

As November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a Commonwealth Fund-commissioned survey sheds light on the challenges faced by the 42 million family caregivers in the US. Despite their essential roles, caregivers express overwhelming stress, financial strain, and a lack of knowledge about available support services. The survey highlights the need for comprehensive reforms and increased awareness of existing assistance programs.

Jessica King, PHI Research & Evaluation Associate, recently spoke with Crystal about her internship experience, what she learned, and her plans to integrate this experience into her academic and career trajectory.

PHI suggests creating pathways to citizenship and “caregiver visas” for immigrants in direct care, addressing workforce shortages. The report emphasizes improving job quality, training, and support for this vital sector.