Utilization, Contributions, and Perceptions of Paid Home Care Workers Among Households in New York State

Abstract

Background and Objectives While family caregivers have traditionally provided care for older adults with chronic conditions and disabilities, the demand for paid home care workers has increased in the last decade. Although typically thought to assist with personal care emerging data suggest that paid home care workers assist with a wider scope of care. However, the extent and quality of the care they deliver remains poorly understood. Research Design and Methods Using the Empire State Poll, a telephone-based cross-sectional survey of 800 adults in New York State, we characterized the types of care that paid home care workers provided and the perceived value of that care. Results Of 800 participants surveyed, 274 reported that they or an immediate family member received care from a paid home care worker (34.3%). Of these, the majority (73.9%) reported that paid home care workers provided emotional and/or medical care, in addition to personal care. In adjusted models, providing emotional and medical care (compared to personal care alone) was associated with nearly a two-fold greater perception of importance and experience by the care recipients. Discussion and Implications Our findings provide additional data on how paid home care workers contribute to patient care, from the perspective of the care recipient(s). The type of care provided is associated with varying magnitudes of perceived quality. Although limited to New York, these findings have implications for paid home care workers’ training and compensation. Future studies are warranted to investigate the specific factors that mediate the association between types of care provided and their perceived value.

Does Connectedness Matter? The Association Between Mutuality and Job Satisfaction Among Home Health Aides Caring for Adults With Heart Failure

“…The survey contains questions on whether patients felt respected and heard, two metrics that would likely improve with increased mutuality. Additionally, a recent survey of community-dwelling adults receiving home care for themselves or someone in their household found that the emotional labor contributions of paid caregivers were associated with participants’ perceived value of care (Sterling, Ringel et al, 2022). Further research is needed to better understand how we can work to retain and strengthen the HHA workforce, but mutuality remains a promising factor that may help improve not only worker outcomes but patient care and home care quality as well.…”

Home Health Care Workers’ Interactions with Medical Providers, Home Care Agencies, and Family Members for Patients with Heart Failure

“…3 HHWs, who spend hours in the home, assist patients with instrumental activities of daily living and medical care and provide emotional support. [4][5][6][7] Our prior work in HF has found that HHWs readily contribute to key aspects of HF care including weighing patients, taking vitals, preparing meals, reminding patients to take medications, and accompanying them to doctor appointments. Owing to their role and scope of care, HHWs are often the minute-to-minute observers of patients' health in the home.…”

Rural‐urban differences in family and paid caregiving utilization in the United States: Findings from the Cornell National Social Survey

“…However, over the last 2 decades, there has been an increasing reliance on paid caregivers (eg, home health aides, attendants, and personal care aides) to provide personal, medical/nursing, and emotional support in the home to older adults and those with chronic conditions. [4][5][6] While some receive care solely from family or paid caregivers, receiving care from both family and paid caregivers--a phenomenon known as "shared care"--is on the rise. [7][8][9] For example, data from the 2020 "Caregiving in the U.S." report found that 1 out of 3 family caregivers provide care alongside a paid aides.…”

“…Traditionally, the bulk of this caregiving has been provided by family. However, over the last 2 decades, there has been an increasing reliance on paid caregivers (eg, home health aides, attendants, and personal care aides) to provide personal, medical/nursing, and emotional support in the home to older adults and those with chronic conditions 4–6 . While some receive care solely from family or paid caregivers, receiving care from both family and paid caregivers––a phenomenon known as “shared care”––is on the rise 7–9 .…”