A new program to support dementia patients and caregivers is set to launch July 2024. This webinar will explore the new federal program — Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model — that will reimburse providers managing dementia care for patients and their caregivers.

September 27, 2023, 2 p.m. ET

Register for the webinar HERE.

​On Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that non-medical homecare agencies are approved providers for the purpose of CNA recertifications. However, this was not the case two months ago when Credentia, the vendor for the department, had removed home care agencies as approved providers. Now that the issue has been resolved, CNAs who work for home care agencies and were unable to renew their license will be notified by Credentia in the coming weeks.

​HCAOA is proud to announce the Top 16 Finalists for the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award.  The overall Caregiver of the Year will be announced during the 2023 National Home Care Conference [https://www.hcaoa.org/national-home-care-conference.html] on October 24, 2023. The Caregiver of the Year will receive a $2,000 cash award and an all-expenses paid trip to Chicago for the conference to be recognized in front of industry leaders.

A recent report from PHI, a New York-based direct care workers advocacy organization, highlights significant challenges faced by the growing direct care workforce in the United States. While the industry is expected to experience substantial growth over the next decade, issues such as low wages persist, exacerbating recruitment and retention problems within the home care industry. The research reveals that despite some wage growth due to state and federal investments in Medicaid funding, wage growth has slowed significantly, with the median hourly wage for direct care workers increasing by only $0.07 per hour in 2021 and $0.02 per hour in 2022.

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and state health officials are launching a free online certification program aimed at certifying 10,000 new home care aides to address the increasing demand for home-based care workers in Wisconsin. The program offers a $500 bonus to certified individuals who remain employed for six months. Funding from the one-time bonus comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. With the impending shortage of caregivers in the state, the program comes at a critical time, and it provides free online training that covers 14 competency areas. Successful completion of the course leads to entry into an online registry, where employers can match caregivers with available positions. The program could potentially serve as a model for other states aiming to address similar caregiver shortages.

As a caregiver, it is important to ensure the safety of seniors at home during various weather emergencies like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. Always Best Care Senior Services provides helpful tips for seniors and their caregivers to keep in mind for weather emergencies. They recommend keeping the home care agency's number readily available, creating emergency kits that include special considerations for seniors, notifying power companies about reliance on electric-powered medical equipment, and having essentials like flashlights, batteries, and medical supplies on hand. Removing trip hazards in the home and maintaining a week's worth of medication, water, non-perishable food, and important documents are also suggested. The company highlights that such measures significantly reduce injury risks and improve seniors' comfort during power outages and emergencies.

An article entitled, “Price of elder care soars as demand increases, baby boomers age,” was published on TheHill.com on August 13, 2023. The article discusses how the cost of caring for aging or ailing family members in the U.S. has risen dramatically in recent years in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult day centers. With insufficient support from programs like Medicare and Medicaid, many family caregivers are forced to deplete their limited funds to cover expenses.

The "sandwich generation" in the United States, consisting of adults aged 40 to 59 who care for both their aging parents and their own children, is facing substantial challenges. Traditionally, individuals in this age group became empty nesters, but recent findings from the Pew Research Center reveal that 54% of parents in their 40s are now simultaneously caring for seniors and providing financial support to their adult children.

HCAOA continues efforts to highlight the negative impact of CMS’ proposed rule that would require states to ensure at least 80 percent of all Medicaid HCBS payments are spent on compensation for direct care workers, such as nurses, home health aides, and others who directly support Medicaid beneficiaries in activities of daily living at home. The remaining 20 percent of payments would be expected to cover all other HCBS operating expenses.

The 2023 HCAOA National Home Care Conference is at record-breaking registrations! With that in mind, do not wait to make your hotel reservations! The Hilton Chicago is a gorgeous, historic property with 1,544 guest rooms offering a full suite of amenities and outstanding dining options.

Overlooking Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and Museum Campus, attendees will be situated on Michigan Avenue, where incredible experiences are around every corner. Walk to Solider Field for game days or concerts, enjoy many festivals at Grant Park, or explore the Pilsen neighborhood– known for one of the best museums in the city, and booming bar and restaurant scenes.

Starting September 11, 2023, applicants will no longer use the Department of Health's credentialing process. Instead, they will directly register and pay for exams through Prometric. After submitting their credentialing applications to the Department of Health, applicants will receive email notifications from Prometric to schedule their exams. While English language exam applicants can self-schedule and pay online, those requiring interpreters or special accommodations will still require assistance from a Prometric advocate. The Department of Health will provide training resources, including guides and videos for the new scheduling process, with a voucher system for bulk payments. Prometric's webpage will have updated information as the transition to direct scheduling approaches.

Click here to learn more.

A survey conducted by Essence SmartCare and Kantar has revealed that about 70% of older adults aging in place in the UK and France lack access to "advanced" monitoring systems, such as fall detection sensors and voice-activated alerts. The survey, which polled family members of elderly residents, highlights the stress and concerns faced by caregivers who are unable to monitor their parents effectively. Many respondents, slightly over half, live more than an hour away from their elderly relatives. A similar poll in the US last year also showed that 45% of respondents lived at least an hour's drive away from their extended family. Research indicates that monitoring systems can effectively reduce emergencies and healthcare visits, but the availability and quality of monitoring systems can vary significantly based on region and care setting.

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization have announced their consideration of merging. Both boards have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore the potential combination, aiming to better address evolving patient needs in hospice and home care. This collaborative effort, initiated after a joint exploratory committee was formed in March, reflects the organizations' intention to enhance advocacy, projects, and partnerships to benefit their members and community-based care providers. For more information, please click HERE.

​Time is of the essence! In just three days, the opportunity to honor your extraordinary caregivers for the prestigious Caregiver of the Year Award will come to a close. Don't let this chance slip through your fingers - nominate your exceptional caregiver before it's too late!

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award. The cash prize has doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 as a result of the kind investment from HCAOA partner Careswitch. Don’t miss out on this generous cash prize! The deadline has been extended to August 11 and HCAOA hopes to see at least 4,300+ nominations from each of our member agencies. In addition to the cash prize, the overall winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the HCAOA conference in Chicago. So don’t delay and submit your nominations today! We look forward to seeing you in Chicago.