Empowering a person-centered long-term care workforce

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Workforce Development

Background:

• The long-term care sector is experiencing a critical workforce shortage.
• Direct care workers face challenges including low pay, inadequate training, burnout, and poor working conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key strategies for hiring and retaining direct care workers in long-term care settings.
• To gather insights from direct care workers on improving the workforce landscape.

Main Methods:

• Convening a panel of direct care workers through the Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Provider Roundtable (AADCPR).
• Facilitating discussions to understand the current state of the workforce from the workers' perspective.

Main Results:

• Five critical touchpoints for hiring and retention were identified: high-quality jobs, recruitment and reputation management, onboarding, retention strategies, and training/career advancement.
• A set of standards was developed, emphasizing dementia education, peer mentoring, and increased inclusion in decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Implementing the identified touchpoints and standards is crucial for addressing the long-term care workforce crisis.
• Focusing on worker well-being, professional development, and empowerment can enhance job satisfaction and retention.