​Nominations are now open for the HCAOA 2022 Caregiver of the Year Award. Recognize one of your top caregivers for their compassion and commitment to providing exemplary care to your clients and their families. HCAOA’s goal is to have at least half of our members nominate a caregiver for this prestigious award.

​The nomination process is streamlined so that it’s easy and fast to submit your best caregiver.  

There are just five questions to answer:

1. Years as a caregiver
2. Describe the caregiver and why you are nominating him/her
3. Provide a story or example that illustrates the caregiver’s compassion and dedication
4. What awards or recognition has the caregiver received
5. What qualities or traits does the caregiver possess that make him/her a standout

 
Nominations Deadline: July 15. Submit your nomination here.
 
Eligibility Requirements:

• Each agency location can nominate one caregiver.
• Direct care workers and frontline caregivers providing care and support for individuals at home are eligible to be nominated.
• Licensed caregivers (RNs, LPNs, OTs, PTs, STs) are NOT eligible.

 
Sponsored by 

HCAOA’s Vicki Hoak opened the news conference stating that today older Americans and people with disabilities cannot access the care and support they need to remain as independent as possible in their own homes. 
 
“We simply don’t have the supply of professional caregivers to meet the rising demand for home care,” said Hoak. “This is not just a problem for the home care industry; this is a crisis facing our society, a society that is growing older every day.  By 2040, 81 million people in the U.S. will be 65 years and older, compared with 72 million under the age of 18. This means that America will soon consist of more old than young.”
 
NAHC President Bill Dombi emphasized that this is a multi-dimensional issue, and the Alliance is committed to bringing together the expertise of other stakeholders to explore an integrated focus on home care aides’ compensation and benefits, career growth, and elevating the profession of caregiving.

Stakeholders would include patients, home care aides, nurses, members of Congress, state lawmakers, and others interested in addressing this critical issue.” explained Dombi. “We’ve all recognized this is a problem, but we continue to work within our silos. But now, by joining together, we can succeed.”

David Totaro of BAYADA Home Health also spoke about the challenges home care agencies are experiencing. Last September, Bayada had to decline about 50% of all the cases it received. By the end of March 2022, the company’s declination rate was nearly 67%, reported Totaro.

The group’s first initiative, “Voices for Care at Home,” aims to share and gather the stories of caregivers, providers, clients, families, and others who have experienced home care especially those who are having difficulty getting the help they need. 
“We’re hoping everyone, especially HCAOA members and their clients, will go to the website and write their story. Stories are powerful when it comes to advocacy,” said Hoak. “The campaign’s goal is to not only highlight the issues causing the shortage but to find concrete solutions to address the shortage.”    

To share your story, click here. 
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The next step is to form workgroups that will address the various causes for the workforce shortage. Members interested in participating in the groups are urged to send their contact information to info@hcaoa.org.

​Home care aides are the face of your agency. Their dedication is reflected on your business—and in the hearts of your clients. Make sure they are recognized for their compassion, commitment, and excellence in home care with a nomination for a 2022 Caregiver of the Year award. Nominations for the HCAOA Caregiver of the Year award open June 1.

Here are the details:

• Each agency location can nominate one caregiver.
• Direct care workers and frontline caregivers providing care and support for individuals at home are eligible to be nominated.
• Licensed caregivers (RNs, LPNs, OTs, PTs, STs) are NOT eligible.
• One overall winner will be recognized at conference and receive cash award.

​Sponsored by 

​Honor a caregiver from your agency for his or her dedication to caring for clients and their families with a nomination for a 2022 HCAOA Caregiver of the Year Award. Home care aides are the face of home care agencies, and their work is on the frontlines—in the homes of your clients. Recognize your workers for their compassion, commitment, and excellence in home care.
 
Stay tuned for an announcement when nominations are open. In the meantime, start thinking about who you will nominate from your agency!