The personal assistance workforce: trends in supply and demand.
The workforce providing noninstitutional personal assistance and home health services tripled between 1989 and 2004, according to U.S. survey data, growing at a much faster rate than the population needing such services. During the same period, Medicaid spending for such services increased dramatically, while both workforce size and spending for similar services in institutional settings remained relatively stable. Low wage levels for personal assistance workers, which have fallen behind those of comparable occupations; scarce health benefits; and high job turnover rates highlight the need for greater attention to ensuring a stable and well-trained workforce to meet growing demand.
Kaye
H Stephen
HS
Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA. steve.kaye@ucsf.edu
Chapman
Susan
S
Newcomer
Robert J
RJ
Harrington
Charlene
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003625:Data Collection; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D018576:Home Health Aides / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006704:Homemaker Services / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000639:trends; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce