Top Facts about America’s Direct Care Workforce

As one of the largest and fastest-growing occupations, the direct care workforce is an essential part of providing quality and effective health care services. Direct care employees work with individuals who need long-term care or personal assistance on a daily basis. Not only are direct care staff valuable to those they serve, but they’re also a great help to the individuals’ families. Direct Care Innovations understands the vital role direct care workers play, which is why we want to highlight these important facts regarding the direct care workforce.

Occupations & Responsibilities

Direct care workers are typically employed by healthcare facilities and fall into three categories — nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides. Their responsibilities are quite diverse and include duties such as administering medication, bathing and dressing individuals, serving meals and snacks, and many others.

Employment Settings

You can find many individuals in these roles working in a variety of managed care settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, community-based residential settings, and day programs. Direct care workers also serve those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in assisted living facilities or group homes.

Growing Occupation

There is a growing demand for direct care personnel with personal care aides and home health aides being at the top of the list. Other direct care positions that are expected to increase include nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants. 

Wages & Benefits

Unfortunately, wages and benefits for direct care personnel are declining. Many are only employed part-time, and less than half of all direct care workers have employer-sponsored health care coverage. It’s also been found that some direct care employees live in households that rely on public assistance such as Medicare and Medicaid, and other public assistance. Thankfully, many progressive home health care agencies see and value the work being done by direct care workers, and offer health and medical benefits, flexible schedules, competitive wages, and opportunities for advancement and training.

Valuable Health Care Management Software

DCI is here to assist the direct care workforce, as well as the agencies they work for, in providing efficient and quality care for individuals living with disabilities. Contact us today to learn more about our healthcare management platform or call us at (480) 295-3307 to request a sales demo. Our healthcare goal tracking software includes features such as real-time authorization management, payroll time and attendance, scheduling and shift trading, electronic visit verification, and more.

Source: “America’s Direct-Care Workforce.” Web document. PHI. PHInational.org. Web. 02 Aug. 2022.