The Careforce for an Aging America
Home and Direct Care Workers
Recognition of the importance of home and direct care workers sharply increased during the pandemic, as did awareness of their often unsafe working conditions, low wages and lack of benefits.
JAHF is committed to supporting these essential careforce members through changes in policy and practice.
Supporting the Payment of $500M in Federal Funding
The CDC invited a taskforce of volunteers, convened by JAHF, to advise states on how to distribute $500 million allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to support nursing home strike teams and develop a longer-term infrastructure to support direct care workers. JAHF also co-funded ADvancing States to offer technical assistance to states using similar ARPA funds for home- and community-based services.
Setting Federal Priorities to Support Direct Care Workers
Our grantee PHI released a report with nearly 50 recommended policy priorities to support the nation’s direct care workforce across eight issue areas including compensation, training and leadership.
Advancing Research to Support Long-Term Care Workers
JAHF formally launched a new Health Affairs’ Age-Friendly Health series in 2021.
Articles about home and direct care workers included:
Lifting Up Careforce Stories
In partnership with Kaiser Health News, JAHF hosted Unsung Heroes: The Crucial Role – and Tenuous Circumstances – of Home Care Workers During the Pandemic, exploring how home care workers supported the families of older adults and people with disabilities in the midst of COVID-19.
Updating Nursing Home Guidance
With support from JAHF and partners, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine began work on a comprehensive report examining the nation’s nursing homes—how they can be better operated, regulated, financed and staffed with the ultimate goal of improving care. The final report provides guidance on how to recruit, train and retain top talent in nursing homes, among other critical recommendations.
The Convergence Center for Policy Resolution initiated a yearlong project bringing together stakeholders with divergent views to build trust, identify consensus-based solutions and form action-oriented alliances to reimagine care for older adults in long-term care and other locations they call home.
Supporting the Careforce
Family Caregivers
Family caregivers are an integral part of the careforce. They are vital members of the health care team who serve as advocates, navigators and the safety net for older adults.
Interprofessional and Cross-Sector Care Teams
JAHF recognizes and supports the teams of professionals that span disciplines and sectors, a key facet of an age-friendly careforce.
2021 Milestones
Our staff and grantees made tremendous strides last year in improving care for older adults. Scan our milestones month by month to learn about:
- Tools and resources our grantees produced
- Research and commentary published to inform and influence
- News and events that generated momentum for change
Inside the Annual Report
Grants Funded
Our new and existing grants supported critically important work in 2021 to meet urgent needs for older adults.
Financials
Responsiveness and diversity enabled the Foundation's financials to grow through an economically turbulent time.
Leadership and Staff
Advancing our critical mission to improve the care of older adults could not be possible without tireless teamwork.