End the year on a high note with a proven strategy for caregiver recruitment in 2025!

Register now for the Blueprint to Maximize Your Caregiver Recruitment Process webinar— a 90-minute, in-depth session with leading home care agency owners and recruiters from agencies generating $50–$150M annually. You'll walk away with proven strategies that drive successful caregiver recruitment that can be implemented immediately at your agency.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed changes to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to improve access and support for family caregivers of veterans. The proposed changes would expand eligibility to include more veterans with serious injuries or those who meet individual unemployability standards. Additionally, the program would be reassessed every two years instead of annually, allowing caregivers to continue receiving benefits for a longer period.

HCAOA's 2024 Caregiver of the Year, Angela Chavez of Gold Star Home Care in Glendale, AZ, was interviewed by Foster Stubbs of McKnights Home Care for their Home Sweet Home series, which is a feature that focuses on heartwarming stories in home care.

​​In the article, Chavez discusses her journey to becoming a caregiver. She credits her success to the supportive environment at Gold Star and her personal connection with her patients – she values the satisfaction of knowing she’s made a difference in the lives of those she cares for.

The holiday season, often filled with joy and togetherness, can be lonely for many older adults, especially if they live alone or are far from loved ones. The absence of family gatherings and holiday traditions can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and even depression.

Kickstart 2025 with a tactical blueprint for caregiver recruitment. Register now for the Blueprint to Maximize Your Caregiver Recruitment Process LIVE Webinar on December 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT. Hear from top home care agency owners and recruiters from agencies generating $50–$150M in annual revenue. You’ll walk away with actionable tips to implement immediately to transform your agency’s caregiver hiring process.

HCAOA announced the 2024 National Caregiver of the Year last week at the National Home Care Conference in Seattle/Bellevue. Angela Chavez, a caregiver with Gold Star Home Care in Glendale, AZ, was honored in front of industry leaders. Chavez’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and skill set her apart among more than 500 nominees from all 50 states.

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.

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)].

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.

HCAOA is excited to announce the Top 12 Finalists for the 2024 Caregiver of the Year Award. The overall Caregiver of the Year will be announced at the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference on October 28, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. The Caregiver of the Year will receive a $2,500 cash award and an all-expenses paid trip to Seattle-Bellevue, WA, for the conference, where the Caregiver of the Year will be honored in front of industry leaders.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that individuals who care for loved ones with disabilities or chronic conditions face significantly worse health outcomes compared to non-caregivers. Analyzing 19 health indicators from 2021 to 2022, the CDC found caregivers had poorer health in 13 areas, including increased rates of binge drinking, heart disease, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Caregivers' health has deteriorated over time, with rising rates of mental distress, depression, and physical conditions compared to previous years. Despite some improvements in smoking rates and physical activity for both caregivers and non-caregivers, the CDC emphasizes the need for public health policies to support caregivers' well-being. This aligns with recent initiatives, including an executive order by President Biden, aimed at enhancing support for care professionals and family caregivers.

Embodied Labs is offering free access to caregiver training through the State of California’s CalGROWS program. Care professionals, family, and friends can all utilize these trainings to better serve those they care for.

Proper caregiver training is crucial for ensuring high-quality care and addressing high staff turnover and burnout in the home care industry. According to the 2024 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report, many home-based care and home health staff feel unprepared for new clients, contributing to a nearly 80% annual turnover rate. Training not only enhances caregivers' skills and job satisfaction but also supports their professional development, which is vital for maintaining a motivated workforce and delivering better patient care.