The U.S. is rapidly aging. Twenty-five percent of the population will be age 60 or older by 2030(1) which has already created a higher demand for assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. Direct care workers are one of the fastest growing workforces in the nation but availability already exceeds demand and it is estimated that there will 8.2 million job openings by 2028.(2)
In Michigan alone, 36,000 more direct care workers are needed! (2) Most older adults prefer to live at home with access to safe, person-centered, high-quality long-term supports and services; the kind provided by competent DCWs. Evidence indicates a direct association between comprehensive DCW training and fewer, high-cost health outcomes such as falls and emergency department visits. Where will all the needed employees come from?
References
- (U.S. Administration on Aging (2008). Projections of the population by age and sex for the United States: 2010 to 2050 (NP2008-T12), Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau; August 14. Retrieved January 21, 2014 from http://www.aoa.gov/Aging_Statistics/future_growth/future_growth.aspx#age.
- PHI National (2020). Retrieved May 4, 2020 from https://phinational.org/policy-research/workforce-data-center.