Home Care Daily - National Home Care Industry News

There continues to this day a fierce debate not only in Washington, DC but the rest of the country regarding immigration. This article is not going to espouse the benefits or potential risks of legal or illegal immigration, but rather focus on the impact the immigrant workforce has on in-home health care support services. 

If one were to ask the average American whether they would prefer to stay in a hospital or nursing home following a major medical emergency or surgery or if they would rather be home to recover, nearly every single one would choose their home environment. Aging in place is the preferred option for growing numbers of seniors, and while it is certainly more comfortable in many cases, it is often considered more affordable. 

It’s no secret by now that the home care industry is the number one job creator. While that sounds great for ads and marketing, the truth is many of these jobs are considered low-wage. 

Health care costs continue to rise, even as politicians and bureaucrats in DC argue about the best way to offer care for every American. Because of this rise in health care costs, hospitals, doctors, and even the average citizen are all looking for ways to relieve some of the financial pressure. 

Seattle’s home care industry is facing a potential crisis: difficulty hiring caregivers. Entry-level and low-wage workers appear to be in short supply. Competition is fierce and since the city has raised the minimum wage to $16 per hour (for larger corporations, but only $12 per hour for government workers), there is no shortage of people looking for these lower wage and entry level jobs, but for anything requiring certification or that is deemed physically and mentally challenging, they may focus on less strenuous opportunities. 

While it may be said that elderly individuals are far less likely to take advantage of technological innovations, increasing numbers of seniors own smartphones and tablets. They might have to turn to their grandchildren or even great-grandchildren to show them how to use it and set things up, but once they get the hang of things, they have a tendency to use them more frequently. 

The next 10 years are going to see significant changes to the home care industry. Most of the basic support systems — assisting with bathing, toileting, getting dressed, and other physical supports — will likely remain the same, but with technology, the federal government’s pressure to reduce hospital readmissions, and other external factors, more aging seniors will deal with health issues in the comfort of their home as opposed to a hospital setting or nursing home.