Direct Care Workforce

There is significant concern over high turnover rates among direct care workers providing in-home care. This paper describes “research in progress” of a 3-year field study examining relationships between interventions and measures of job satisfaction and turnover. Economic and non-economic interventions were introduced to a population of nearly 700. Preliminary findings suggest that job satisfaction increases not only from workers’ participation in, but simply their awareness of interventions.

As part of the Real Choice grant activities, Maine identified the need for a survey of consumers on the Consumer Directed Physically Disabled Waiver. This report provides the results of the in-home survey that was conducted by the Muskie School. The survey results identified some areas of focus and opportunities for increased training. Based on survey results, changes were made to the emergency back up plans, training with adaptive equipment and CNA registries.

This guide was prepared by Maine’s Work Group for Community-Based Living in response to the 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision. The work group submits this Roadmap as an interdepartmental approach for improving home and community services for people with disabilities. Section topics include: advocacy, integrated services, using data, service coordination, direct-care workers, improving quality, housing, transportation, and employment.

The National Council on Disability released a new report with recommendations on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities receiving Social Security benefits. The major reasons cited for the extreme underutilization of these work incentives by beneficiaries were lack of knowledge on work incentives and the complex and hard-to-grasp nature of the incentives for even those who were aware of them. The report further discussed ideas for policy and procedural modifications.

A special edition of <i>Health Progress Magazine</i> focuses on the theme of Workplace Issues. The November-December 2005 journal has a number of great articles about the long-term care workforce. Titles include the Turnover Turnaround, Breaking the Turnover Cycle, and Who Will Care for the Caregivers?

As turnover among direct care workers continues at very high rates, providers need to implement solutions that work and employee surveys can be an important tool in understanding staff satisfaction. This guide was developed to help organizations improve their use of measurement tools to understand direct care workforce problems and to inform their solutions. LTC providers and researchers can use the 12 instrument measures to assess monitor and improve the work environment.

This online publication was developed for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who direct their personal assistance services. The resource provides information on how to recruit and interview, how to check a candidate's background and references, and how to train new attendants. It outlines the rights of both caregivers and care recipients and covers topics like problem solving, conflict resolution, setting boundaries, and working with a PCA who may also be a friend or a relative.

The goal of the West Virginia Real Choice project is to create enduring improvements in community long-term support systems so that individuals of any age who have a disability or long-term illness have the choice and necessary supports to live and participate in their communities. The have created three position papers to present arguments for expanding the horizons of employment options, personal assistance programs, and waiting lists protocols.

It is necessary for organizations working with vulnerable people to recruit and advance promising leaders as well as further renew and encourage existing leaders. This specialized five-day event prepares the next generation of leaders as the present baby boomers begin to leave the field of advocacy, academia and governmental services. Participants will develop a proposal that identifies key leadership issues that each believes their organization ought to pursue. The event is in March 2006.

This video was produced & directed by the Connecticut C-PASS grantee, UCONN Center on Disabilities, with assistance from consumers & PCAs participating in various HCBS waiver programs. Included are perspectives from individuals & family members representing various disabilities & ages, explaining why personal assistants are important parts of their daily lives, & why being a personal assistant can be a challenging and rewarding career. The recruitment tool will be available in various formats.