Abstract
The demand for home health aides is expected to rise, despite concerns about the sustainability of this workforce. Home health workers receive low wages and little training and have high turnover. It is difficult to recruit and retain workers to improve clinical outcomes. This study presents national estimates to examine how home health workers and the subgroup of workers differ in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, compensation, benefits, satisfaction, and retention. Hospice aides fare better than other categories of workers and are less likely to leave their job. Policymakers should consider strategies to increase the quality and stability of this workforce.
Acknowledgments
Findings from this study were presented as a poster presentation at the 2012 Academy Health Annual Research Meeting in Orlando, FL on June 25, 2012.
This article was prepared under Contract #HHS-[P23320095653WC] for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy. The ASPE Federal Project Officer is Marie Squillace, PhD.