Work stress and job satisfaction: a study of home care workers in New York City

New York has pioneered the development of publicly-financed home care, establishing a 60,000 member home care workforce that is by far the largest in the nation. This paper describes the Medicaid-funded home care program in New York City and presents findings from a recent survey of the workforce. Data are presented on working conditions in the industry suggesting that structural reform is urgently needed in the employment system for home care workers in New York City. The findings have national implications for the future planning of home care services.