News Releases

February 16, 2024

Honoring National Caregivers Day: A Tribute to Compassion and Dedication

On National Caregivers Day, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) proudly recognizes the extraordinary contributions of caregivers across the nation. The importance of caregiving was eloquently highlighted by Eulodia Ortiz, the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award Winner, during her acceptance speech at the 2023 HCAOA National Home Care Conference. She stated, “Receiving this award is not just a personal achievement; it is a reminder of the importance of caregiving and the impact it has on individuals and communities. Let us continue to recognize and appreciate the invaluable work of caregivers, as they truly make a difference in the lives of those they care for.”

November 9, 2023

Caring for Our Nation’s Veterans:
HCAOA's Commitment to Veteran-Centered Home Care

On this Veterans Day, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) proudly salutes and honors the brave men and women who have served our nation in the United States Armed Forces. This day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans and an opportunity to express our gratitude for their service.

October 24, 2023

2023 Caregiver of the Year Chases Her American Dream

Today, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) recognized Eulodia Ortiz, a caregiver with Visiting Angels in Matawan, NJ, as the 2023 National Caregiver of the Year during the organization’s National Home Care Conference in Chicago. Ortiz was selected as the top home care aide from more than 500 nominees from nearly all 50 states – a record-breaking 160% increase in nominations from last year.

September 20, 2023

Jason R. Lee Appointed as New CEO of the Home Care Association of America

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) is proud to announce Jason R. Lee as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2, 2023. Lee succeeds Vicki Hoak, who has led the organization for the past four years. Hoak will continue to contribute her expertise as CEO Emeritus through the end of October. “We will miss Vicki, who was the right leader to take the organization through the pandemic and come out the other side significantly stronger and vibrant. She leaves the organization well poised for the next chapter under Jason’s leadership,” Jeff Wiberg, HCAOA President, added.

September 19, 2023

Home Care Association of America Announces Top 16 Finalists for the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) is proud to announce the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2023 National Home Care Conference on October 24, 2023, at the Hilton Chicago.

March 27, 2023

New Report on Nurse and Home Care Aide Shortage Offers Practical Solutions to Solve the Crisis

The United States is facing an unprecedented crisis in developing an adequate workforce of home care aides and nurses to care for the country’s burgeoning elderly and disabled population.

In response, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) brought together industry leaders to create The Home Care Workforce Crisis: An Industry Report and Call to Action. This groundbreaking initiative not only addresses the needs of the nursing and home care aide workforce, but also the supply and demand issues for home-based care.

February 17, 2023

Professional Caregivers Praised by Home Care Association of America: Contributions Invaluable to Older Americans

Today, the Home Care Association of America, representing its member home care organizations, expressed its gratitude and respect for the 2.4 million home care professionals who enable older Americans and individuals with disabilities to remain in their own home and communities—living as independently as possible. National Caregiver Day was established to express this country’s gratitude for this valuable profession, but our actions of support and recognition must be demonstrated every day.

February 1, 2023

Home Care Association of America Urges Congress to Pass Veteran Home Care Legislation

More than 20,000 veterans receive in-home care under the VA Community Care Network provided by more than 5,000 home care agencies. Under current regulations, the Department of Veteran Affairs is prohibited from funding home health and home care in a veterans’ home – even if it is upwards of 30% less expensive – due to an artificial spending cap. This has prevented countless veterans from receiving needed care in their own home.

November 10, 2022

Caring for Our Nation’s Heroes: An Honor for Home Care Agencies

HCAOA works closely with the Veterans Administration to ensure veterans receive the care they need, when they want it and where they want it, which is usually at home. On this national observance of Veterans Day, HCAOA pledges to continue advocating for our veterans to ensure they receive the services and supports they need and deserve.

October 10, 2022

Home Care Association of America Urges New York State Legislators to Remember Home Care’s “Forgotten Middle"

For thousands of seniors and their families who pay for home care personally, the recent increase in wages for New York home care aides may make receiving services unsustainable. While the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) supports the pay increase for home care professionals, it also urges New York legislators to provide a home care tax credit to help seniors caught in the “Forgotten Middle”—those who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare services and must rely on the pooled resources of multiple family members to obtain long-term home care services. These seniors and their families will suffer from increased costs as the pay raise is passed down from home care agencies to the consumer.

September 21, 2022

HCAOA Recognizes Caregiver of the Year, Legislative Advocate, and Home Care Leader at Record-Breaking Annual Conference

Over September 17-19, 2022, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) 2022 Annual Leadership Conference cast a vision for the future of home care, provided training and action steps for industry leaders and recognized three important individuals for their contribution to the home care industry to a record-breaking crowd.

March 2, 2022

Statement from Home Care Association CEO on State of the Union

Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) CEO Vicki Hoak released this statement following President Biden’s comments during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address that nursing homes will soon be subject to tougher Medicare oversight.

February 23, 2022

Home Care Association of America Releases Report Revealing State of Home Care in U.S.

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA), the unified voice of the home care industry representing nearly 4,000 agencies, today released “State of Home Care: Industry at a Crossroads.” The report showcases data, industry challenges, and new policy priorities concerning the state of home care in the United States. The report was produced in partnership with the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA).

November 1, 2021

Greg Gorton Named 2021 Caregiver of the Year

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) announced that Greg Gorton of Right at Home in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is the 2021 Caregiver of the Year. Gorton was selected as the top home caregiver in the country from nearly 250 nominees from 41 states.

August 31, 2021

HCAOA Partners on New Program to Encourage, Incentivize Vaccinations among Home Care Workers

In an ongoing effort to encourage home care workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) announced today it is partnering with the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) to provide cash incentives for workers who get the vaccine, and also for anyone in the community they successfully encourage to get vaccinated.

August 18, 2021

Feeling The Burnout: Home Health Care Workers And The Pandemic

Health care workers across the country are experiencing burnout as the pandemic drags on. But that burnout isn’t exclusive to the walls of a hospital. Many home health care workers are feeling stressed in no small part due to their agencies cutting staff and pay.

August 12, 2021

Senate Takes First Major Step in Boosting Home Care Economy with Passage of Budget Blueprint

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) applauded the Senate and said it would keep pushing Congress to increase Medicaid reimbursement for home care and private duty nursing, as well as provide additional funding for home care worker training. “While the pandemic has and continues to be devastating, it has highlighted the tremendous value home care aides bring not only to older American, but to government as well,” HCAOA Executive Director Vicki Hoak told McKnight’s Home Care Daily in a statement. “Home care is a win-win for home care clients and government: a win for older clients who prefer to receive care in their own homes and it’s a win for government because home care is cheaper than facility care.”

July 19, 2021

HCAOA & Association for Home & Hospice Care of NC Announce Partnership to Support Personal Care & Private Pay Providers

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) today announced a partnership to support personal care & private pay agencies throughout North Carolina. HCAOA, the industry’s leading trade organization representing nearly 4,000 home care agencies, caregivers, and consumers across the country, and AHHC, a nonprofit trade association representing more than 750 providers of home health, hospice, palliative care, personal care, private duty nursing, and companion/sitter services in North Carolina, will work together to provide members with advocacy and education at both the state and federal levels.

January 12, 2021

Home Health Services Association of New Jersey Joins HCAOA as New State Chapter

The Home Health Services Association of New Jersey (HHSANJ) has joined the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) as a State Chapter, both organizations announced this week.

October 8, 2020

HCAOA Names 50-Year Veteran 2020 Caregiver of the Year

Karen Butler, a caregiver with Custom Home Care in Chicago, Illinois, was named 2020 Caregiver of the Year by the Home Care Association of America. Butler was selected from more than 200 nominees, and was recognized as the top caregiver in the country during HCAOA’s Virtual Conference.

September 17, 2020

Industry Leader Appointed Chair of HCAOA Connecticut Chapter

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) announced today the appointment of home care industry leader Mark McGoldrick of New Canaan, Conn. as chair of its Connecticut Chapter, effective immediately.

July 16, 2020

HCAOA Adds Role to Focus on Member Benefits, Partnerships

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) announced today that Jennifer Battista has joined the organization as Senior Director of Membership and Operations, effective immediately.