As we prepare to gather with loved ones and reflect on the meaning of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire home care community. Thanksgiving is a time to pause, appreciate the people who make a difference in our lives, and celebrate the connections that sustain us. In home care, those connections are at the very heart of everything we do.
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To the caregivers who provide comfort, dignity, and support every day—your compassion lights the way for countless families. To our agency leaders and teams who keep services running smoothly—your dedication ensures that individuals across our communities can continue to receive the care they rely on. And to the many partners and advocates who champion high-quality home-based care—your work helps strengthen the entire system.

We know the holidays can be a busy and emotional time for both caregivers and the families they serve. Please know how deeply appreciated your efforts are, not just this week, but all year long.

From all of us, we wish you and your families and friends a warm, peaceful, and joy-filled Thanksgiving. May the days ahead bring rest, connection, and moments that remind you why this work matters so much.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. 🧡

HCAOA and Spirit of Care Sponsor Paradigm are pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2025 Caregiver of the Year Award, who will travel to the HCAOA National Conference in Dallas to be recognized in front of industry leaders. The top Caregiver of the Year will be announced at that time.
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Meet the finalists here!

This year marks a record-breaking moment for the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA). We are thrilled to share that we received an incredible 506 nominations for the 2025 Caregiver of the Year Award—the highest number of nominations in the history of this program! ​

HCAOA is giving you the gift of time! The deadline to nominate a caregiver for the National Caregiver of the Year Award has been extended until THIS FRIDAY, August 22 at midnight. Five regional finalists will be selected from HUNDREDS of nominees and recognized at the National Home Care Conference in Dallas, TX, and the top winner will be announced LIVE at the conference!

HCAOA is pleased to share a major development resulting from our sustained, aggressive federal advocacy. On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) No. 2025-4, which directs its enforcement staff to stop applying the 2013 rule that prohibited home care agencies from using key Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exemptions for companionship and live-in services. This shift in enforcement policy is a direct outcome of HCAOA’s continued engagement with senior officials at the Department and within the Trump Administration and a meaningful step toward restoring flexibility for agencies and caregivers alike.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Caregiver of the Year Award, and this year, more caregivers have an opportunity to be recognized for the amazing work they do! One finalist will be chosen from each of five regions and ALL FIVE finalists will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the HCAOA National Home Care Conference on October 20-21, 2025, in Dallas, TX. 

​A Special Report by McKnights Home Care
 
If there is one lesson Andrea Cohen learned after more than two decades of running a home care company, it is that supporting family caregivers is foundational to quality care. “I would say I have three customers,” Andrea told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse. “One is the client themselves, one is the professional caregiver and the other is the family caregiver. About 95% of the time, we were actually dealing with the family caregiver.”

The reintroduction of the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2025 (H.R.138) brings vital financial support to family caregivers, who play a critical role in the care of aging parents and loved ones. This legislation proposes an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code, allowing caregivers to use funds from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) to cover the medical expenses of their parents or their spouse’s parents, by permitting caregivers to use pre-tax dollars for these expenses.

The Credit for Caring Act, a bipartisan bill designed to provide much-needed financial relief for family caregivers, was reintroduced in the House/Senate yesterday by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV Michael Bennet (D-CO), Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH-15), and Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38). HCAOA strongly supports this legislation, which aims to ease the financial strain for those caring for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones with long-term care needs.

It’s not too late to register for tomorrow's LIVE webinar Blueprint to Maximize Your Caregiver Recruitment Process at 1:00 p.m. ET. Hear from industry leaders about the strategies behind successful caregiver recruiting — and how you can apply them at your agency immediately.

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.