Pittsburgh Post Gazette: ‘Crisis mode’: As Boomers Age, A Shortage of Caregivers
Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Aging Edge describes the shortage of caregivers for older adults.
“We are absolutely in a crisis mode,” said Robert Espinoza, vice president of policy for New York-based PHI, a direct care workforce research organization. “Providers are routinely reporting that they can’t find and they can’t keep direct care workers, which makes it impossible to provide the care that consumers need.”
"Home care is among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with the workforce doubling to 1.6 million over the past 10 years, and 600,000 more jobs projected to be added over the next decade, according to PHI...Experts say even that won’t be enough to keep up with growing demand, citing a number of factors lessening interest among prospective caregivers."
“It’s not an easy job at all,” said Amy York, executive director of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, a coalition of senior care organizations, [including PHI, and a John A. Hartford Foundation grantee.] Ms. York said low wages, isolation and a lack of training contribute to a “significant turnover” among caregivers and an ongoing worker shortage for the industry."
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