A recent report from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) highlights significant barriers preventing seniors with cognitive impairment from accessing home care services. Approximately 4.3 million seniors in the U.S. live alone with cognitive challenges. Yet, nearly 80% cannot obtain home care aides through programs like Medicaid due to their ineligibility to qualify for Medicaid. Many of these seniors struggle with daily activities and receive little to no assistance from family or friends.

HCAOA is excited to introduce Cai Yoke as the newest addition to the team, stepping into the Senior Manager of Government Relations role. Yoke brings a wealth of experience and expertise to HCAOA.

​In her role, she will focus on state advocacy issues and be an instrumental partner for HCAOA’s state chapters to advance issue campaigns that enhance our members’ ability to provide high-quality care to those in need. Before joining HCAOA, Yoke worked on the government relations and grassroots advocacy teams at BAYADA Home Health Care and the Alzheimer’s Association.

The countdown is on—next week, we’ll gather for the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference in beautiful Seattle/Bellevue, WA! This year promises to be exceptional, with record-breaking attendee registration and a sold-out exhibit hall featuring nearly 100 innovative exhibitors!

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appealed a federal court ruling that blocked its proposed ban on noncompete agreements for employers. This action comes after Judge Ada Brown of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas determined that the FTC exceeded its authority in implementing the ban. Her ruling expanded to apply to all employers.

Introducing HomeSight™: Connected care — made for TV

The HomeSight platform makes remote care and virtual monitoring simple, secure, and economical. It connects older adults with care providers, care professionals, family, and friends through the technology they find most familiar — the TV — creating simple, secure access to a network of trusted people who can contribute to their well-being.

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) has released a report emphasizing the urgent need for an employment pipeline of direct support professionals (DSPs) to provide essential home care services for individuals with disabilities. Highlighting the significant demand for DSPs in the U.S., the report notes that recruitment, training, and support for these roles must undergo substantial changes to meet the growing needs of Americans with disabilities. With the number of individuals relying on home- and community-based services (HCBS) projected to rise sharply, the current average vacancy rate in HCBS organizations is more than 20%.

Representatives from the HCAOA Policy Committee (Cheryl Stanton, BrightStar Care & HCAOA Policy Chair; and Doug Robertson, Right at Home), HCAOA Staff (Jason Lee, HCAOA CEO, and Eric Reinarman, HCAOA VP of Government Relations), and HCAOA Lobbyist (Michael Strazzella, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC) met in Washinton, DC last week to discuss HCAOA’s policy strategy for 2025. The team discussed various key topics, including plans to schedule meetings with the transition teams of Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump. HCAOA is eager to collaborate with both candidates and learn more about their respective plans for home care going forward.

By Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued ACARE HHC, Inc.; doing business as Four Seasons Licensed Home Health Care Agency in Brooklyn, New York. The EEOC claimed that the Agency removed home health aides from work assignments based on their race and national origin to accommodate clients’ preferences in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [EEOC v. ACARE HHC d/b/a/ Four Seasons Licensed Home Health Care, 23-cv-5760 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York)].

The excitement is building—there are only 12 days left until the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference! This year promises to be exceptional, featuring a lineup of cutting-edge educational sessions and another sold-out Exhibit Hall showcasing the latest advancements in home care.

Last week, both presidential candidates announced their plans for home care expansion. Vice President Kamala Harris proposes broadening Medicare benefits to cover home health care, with the expansion of Medicare drug price negotiations covering the cost. Former President Donald Trump would prioritize home care benefits by increasing access to telehealth for seniors in Medicare Advantage plans, shifting resources back to at-home senior care, overturning disincentives that lead to Care Worker shortages, and supporting unpaid Family Caregivers through Tax Credits and reduced red tape. As mentioned in our statements last week, HCAOA is committed to making home care more accessible and affordable and looks forward to collaborating with policymakers, Congress, and either Former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) just released the September jobs report, noting that the number of home care jobs has risen in recent months, and the field frequently leads the healthcare industry in total monthly job growth. In July, 21,600 new workers entered home healthcare, and in May, roughly 20,000 entered.

Yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new proposal to expand Medicare coverage to help cover the cost of home care for seniors. HCAOA is currently analyzing the proposal, but notes that any initiative to shift the focus from institutional care to home-based care is a meaningful step toward closing gaps in the healthcare system.

Several changes were recently announced to Connecticut’s early child care and education programs that Gov. Ned Lamont said will result in more children being able to receive access to these programs while also lowering the associated costs to their parents, which may also help caregivers, clients, and home care agencies.

As we continue to stand with our fellow home care providers in the Carolinas affected by Hurricane Helene, we encourage all members to contribute to the Carolinas Foundation for Hospice and Home Care. Your tax-deductible donations will directly support displaced aides, nurses, and other home care and hospice staff through cash scholarships for essential needs like gas, food, and rent. This initiative is managed by the HCAOA Member Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina, which has provided relief in past disasters, including raising $60,000 after Hurricane Florence.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Bob Casey (D-Penn) have introduced three bills aimed at bolstering the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who provide essential home care and assistance to seniors and individuals with disabilities. This initiative comes in response to the caregiver work shortage. The bills are designed to create new programs and adjust federal funding to enhance home and community-based services (HCBS), addressing the urgent need for support in this critical workforce.