Caregivers play an important role for older adults wanting to age in place.
Caregivers are an integral part of the post-acute care continuum. Whether certified healthcare workers or trained through an agency, they play an important role for older adults wanting to age in place, as well as their families.
"Frontline caregiving professionals are the backbone of aging services," Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, said in a statement. "These invaluable caregivers deliver the quality of care and extra help that allows millions of older adults to live life to their fullest. Without them, there is no care."
National Caregivers Day is acknowledged on February 17, to recognize the dutiful work and compassion of caregivers, as well as their need for more support.
These three HealthLeaders stories on private duty caregiving illustrate the important role that caregivers play in post-acute care.
1. Better Care Better Jobs Act Introduced in Congress
Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced the bill in January, which would expand access to home and community-based services for older adults, as well as injured workers and individuals with disabilities, and improve pay and benefits for caregivers.
Aging in place is becoming a preferred option for older adults, and caregivers can help them do so safely and comfortably. However, currently home care workers earn an average of $13 per hour, receiving few or no benefits.
2. Communication Is Key To Hiring The Right Caregivers For Private Duty Agencies
Caregivers making their capabilities and limits known early on in the hiring process can help agencies save time and money down the line.
"We have to stop trying to have caregivers fit what we need," Aishling Dalton-Kelly, a private duty consultant, told HealthLeaders. "We have to ask them what they like and what they don't like, what they're willing to do and what they're not, because that plays a huge role in servicing the needs of the consumer."
Agencies developing clear and effective communication with their caregivers, in addition to understanding factors about their home life, such as whether they have children, will allow them to avoid staffing and scheduling issues in the future.
3. Q&A With Private Duty Consultant Candyce Slusher
Beginning her career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Candyce Slusher emphasizes the importance of an honest and trusting caregiver-client relationship as well as the caregiver-agency relationship.
Private duty agencies typically grow by word-of-mouth referrals, so the quality of care caregivers provide is important.
"It's being bold enough to have the conversations that need to be had, but gentle and professional enough that people are willing to accept corrective feedback," Slusher told HealthLeaders.
Other aspects include good communication, owning up to mistakes when they happen, and being open and honest about how they'll be fixed, she said.
Jasmyne Ray is the revenue cycle editor at HealthLeaders.