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Private Duty HomeCare - Challenges in Training and Hiring

In this week’s email:

• Today’s Insight from AgingHere

• Advocating for Standardization and Improved Practices in Private Duty Home Care

• Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant

• How Immigrants Can Solve the Worsening Long-Term Care Staffing Crisis

• Revolutionizing Hiring in Nursing Homes: Better Pay, Free Training, and Guaranteed Employment Drive Success

• Today’s AgingHere Survey

• Making us laugh this week

• AgingHere Referral Program

• Today’s Sponsor: Mastering Medicare Podcast (MasteringMedicare.net)

Today’s Insight from AgingHere

Today's insight highlights the importance of standardization and improved practices in the field of private duty home care. Diane Marks, the Director of Private Services at Fayette Homecare Inc., advocates for nationwide standardized training for aides to ensure a consistent level of service. This push for standardization aims to benefit all stakeholders involved. Additionally, Marks suggests the creation of a new worker level between a sitter-companion and an aide to address the shortage of aides in the industry.

Furthermore, it is emphasized that it is essential to differentiate Medicare-certified agencies from non-certified ones. The latter often offer similar services at lower costs due to less stringent training requirements. This differentiation helps consumers make informed decisions when choosing home care services.

In another insight, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is presented as a fulfilling career path in the healthcare industry. CNAs play a vital role in providing fundamental care to patients and act as a critical communication link within the healthcare team. The requirements for becoming a CNA include a high school diploma, specialized training, and passing a certification exam. Additional certifications can open up more opportunities for career advancement in the healthcare field.

The worsening long-term care staffing crisis in the United States is highlighted in another insight. Experts suggest that immigrants can help bridge the gaps in the industry, as they currently make up a significant portion of direct care workers. However, the U.S. has not prioritized attracting foreign-born care workers, unlike countries such as Canada. Implementing immigration policies focused on filling long-term care positions could alleviate the strain on the industry and ensure the availability of essential care workers.

Finally, nursing homes in the United States are revolutionizing their hiring practices to address staffing shortages. New programs offer better pay, free training, guaranteed employment, and career advancement opportunities for nurses. State-level initiatives allow workers to train for specialized positions while continuing their current jobs. These initiatives, supported by government funding, have proven successful in attracting and retaining healthcare workers in the industry.

Advocating for Standardization and Improved Practices in Private Duty Home Care

Private Duty Homecare is rallying to unify and raise industry standards for the benefit of all stakeholders. Diane Marks, Director of Private Services at Fayette Homecare Inc., advocates for nationwide standardized training for aides to ensure a consistent level of service. She proposes creating another level of worker, between a sitter-companion and an aide, due to a shortage of aides. Marks also stresses the need to differentiate Medicare-certified agencies from those that aren't, as the latter often offer similar services at lower costs due to less stringent training requirements. Read more.

Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant

Venture into the fulfilling world of healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)! Become an unsung hero, providing fundamental care to patients and serving as a critical communication link within the healthcare team. While physically demanding, the role is steeped in empathy and patience. No nursing degree? No problem! All you need is a high school diploma, specialized training, and a certification exam under your belt. Want to elevate your career? Additional certifications can unlock more opportunities. The journey may be challenging, but it promises immense satisfaction and a springboard into further healthcare roles. read more.

How Immigrants Can Solve the Worsening Long-Term Care Staffing Crisis

The United States is experiencing a worsening crisis in long-term care staffing, with high turnover and unfilled job openings putting older adults at risk. Experts suggest that immigrants can help bridge the gaps in the industry, as they currently make up a significant portion of direct care workers. However, the U.S. has not prioritized attracting foreign-born care workers. Immigration policies focused on filling long-term care positions could alleviate the strain, but there has been little political will to implement such policies. Other countries, like Canada, are actively recruiting immigrants to meet their long-term care needs. The U.S. cannot afford to delay implementing policies to appeal to immigrant care workers, as it competes with other nations for this essential workforce. read more.

Revolutionizing Hiring in Nursing Homes: Better Pay, Free Training, and Guaranteed Employment Drive Success

Nursing homes in the United States are implementing new hiring programs that offer better pay, free training, guaranteed employment, and career advancement opportunities for nurses. State-level initiatives are allowing workers to train for specialized positions while working their current jobs. These programs help address staffing shortages and allow non-clinical workers to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or advance their skills to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). Government funding is being utilized to support these initiatives, which are proving successful in attracting and retaining healthcare workers. read more.

Making us laugh this week:

AgingHere Referral Program

Today’s Sponsor: Mastering Medicare (MasteringMedicare.net)

Listen to Mastering Medicare Podcast Episode 20: Medicare Advantage and Delegated Medical Group Deep Dive with Alex Mohseni

AgingHere Inspirational Quotes

"Remember, as a senior caregiver, you have the power to make someone's day brighter, even if they forget your name five minutes later."