Baseline Management Practices at Providers in Better Jobs Better Care

Abstract

High turnover and difficult recruitment of direct care workers are challenges for long-term care providers. This study reports the extent and variation of the use of management practices for direct care workers and their supervisors across four long-term care settings in the Better Jobs Better Care demonstration. Overall, there is limited use of direct care worker training, career advancement opportunities, and mentoring programs. Participation in care planning, communication about tasks, and direct care worker supervisor training and development practices vary significantly across long-term care settings. The paucity of training, career advancement opportunities, and mentoring programs suggests that government policies may be needed to encourage their use.

Key Words:

• Training and development
• direct care worker
• long-term care
• management practices
• nursing supervisors
• recruitment and retention of direct care workers
• nursing homes
• assisted living
• home care
• adult day care