Older Women Caring for Older Women: The Rewards and Challenges of the Home Care Aide Job

Abstract

As our population ages, the need for personal assistance services increases. Paid personal care is predominantly provided by women, often older women, and has been considered low-status, low-wage work. This article reports on a mixed-method, longitudinal study of 261 home care aides; study participants were 46 years old, on average. Predictors of termination included younger age and lack of health insurance. Study participants reported more rewarding than challenging aspects to the job, though low and inconsistent compensation often forced them to leave the work they loved. Implications of the study with regard to older women caring for older women are explored.

Keywords:

• home care aides
• personal care attendants
• direct-care workers
• long-term care
• personal assistance services
• and low-wage workers

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The National Institute on Aging funded this project (1 R15 AG029599-01). The following research assistants provided assistance in collecting and analyzing data: Alison Ashley, Nan Simpson, Diane Helder, Julia Hewes, Meghan Wyman, Dawn Ravan, Meredith Wurpel, and Stephanie Allard.