Older Women Doing Home Care: Exploitation or Ideal Job?

Abstract

The increased need for both personal assistance workers and meaningful employment opportunities for older workers results in growing numbers of older home care aides. This study examined lifetime financial security and perceived advantages of older age in this field through interviews with 31 older home care aides. Study participants experienced high levels of financial insecurity and perceived older workers as particularly well suited to the home care job. The consequences of this low-wage, low-status work are explored along with implications for social workers to advocate for improved conditions for these workers providing essential care to frail elders.

Keywords:

• older workers
• home care
• direct care workers

Notes

Funding for this project was received from the National Institute on Aging grant number 1 R15 AG029599-01 AZ. Sara Wardamasky and Stephanie Allard provided assistance with interview transcription.