“I’ll fill in the gaps”: perspectives of HHAs on promoting aging in place for older adults with low incomes

ABSTRACT

Older adults with low incomes experience disproportionate rates of cognitive and functional impairment and an elevated risk of nursing home admission. Home health aides (HHAs) may have insight into how to optimize aging in place for this population, yet little is known about HHAs’ perspectives on this topic. We conducted 6 focus groups with 21 English-speaking and 10 Spanish-speaking HHAs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, and three themes emerged. First, HHAs described the uniqueness of their role within multidisciplinary care teams. Second, HHAs shared concrete interventions they employ to help their clients improve their function at home. Third, HHAs discussed barriers they face when helping clients age in place. Our findings suggest that HHAs have important insights into improving aging in place for older adults with low incomes and that their perspectives should be incorporated into care planning and intervention delivery.

KEYWORDS:

• Home health aides
• older adults
• low income
• aging in place
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

The authors do not have any additional contributors to report.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data supporting the results will be made available by the authors upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Institute on Aging (K76AG057016).