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Millions of older adults and people living with disabilities rely on the direct care workforce, and the numbers are growing at an enormous rate every single day. Sadly, we have undervalued the importance of the direct care workforce and ill prepared the critical need to provide quality of life and quality of care training. It's time to change the paradigm.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living champions the national observance of Older Americans Month. "Communities of Strength" is the theme for 2021.
I can think of no other time in that this theme could be more appropriate as we have witnessed one of the most challenging years in history. Older Americans have proven to be our source of wisdom, strength, perseverance and a model of overcoming difficulties. And I will add that the communities that support older adults have risen to the challenges of creating new ways to engage and build even stronger communities in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by a global pandemic.
The health and well being of older adults, especially is grounded in connecting with others. It is paramount to the health and well-being of everyone, but especially as we age.
According to estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, during the past year, 65.7 million Americans (or 29 percent of the adult U.S. adult population involving 31 percent of all U.S. households) served as family caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. That is 65.7 million family caregivers who are desperately needing education, training, support and help with finding available resources. We must do a better job as these numbers are increasing drastically with our aging population.
The Aging Services Industry faces a triple-whammy when it comes to workforce turnover and retention.
The first hit is the massive turnover that occurred and continues to occur because of the pandemic. Second, the turnover is on top of existing unfillable vacant positions. Thirdly, there are new entrants into the field who have no prior experience caring for older adults.
We don't want just warm bodies. Yet, providers had to scurry and pull from every corner to get to bare staffing requirements. Now, providers hang on hope that the good employees will not jump ship as the pandemic fades. What are we to do about this massive issue?
Much of the focus will continue to be on recruiting new employees, and rightly so. However, great attention needs to be given to how to keep the new, good employees. At the same time, it is critical to also maintain the spirit and engagement of the seasoned employees.
This is where people want to be.. home. It is time to examine changes needed for people stay safe and well with availability of appropriate care and services.
The Home Health/Care Industry quickly stepped up to the plate during the COVID pandemic. The demand for services ballooned almost over-night, and providers responded with a fierce determination to serve those in need.
The challenges were not that different from long term care. However, one might argue they were a bit more challenging due to the remote nature of the workforce.
COVID testing and protocol training required an enormous amount of coordination. Another challenge was the lack of testing for the home-bound elders, and discovering that in desperation for care, dishonesty of symptoms was a factor.
Innovative programming for persons living with Dementia is taking a significant step forward.
Reading2Connect is an integrated reading program for persons with cognitive changes. Adapted books help them to express their individuality, recall their pasts, share humor, and emotionally connect with peers, family, and caregivers.
The ability to read is automatic and often remains to some degree functional even in the later stages of dementia.
Specially designed books break through the barriers to reading, sparking older adults with dementia abilities to reflect, remember, learn, and express themselves.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid commissioned a study with residents in 40 nursing homes about the meaning of quality
of life. Independence, positive self-image and purposeful activities that produce or teach something ranked high on the list.
