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.

HCAOA member SYNERGY HomeCare is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of record growth, driven by a strong focus on human capital. CEO Charlie Young highlighted that the most successful franchise operations prioritize investing in their internal administrative teams and human resources, which are crucial for managing scheduling, home assessments, and caregiver retention. Equally important is developing robust local connections and a sales strategy that builds relationships with referral sources like hospitals and community organizations. With nearly 500 locations and 42 new territories added this year, SYNERGY continues to expand rapidly, surpassing previous growth records.

By Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule establishing the first federal regulations for Adult Protective Services (APS). The regulations took effect on June 7. The entire rule is at https://acl.gov/apsrule.

​CMS has published a new fact sheet about the services available through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, along with guidance on how patients and families can work with their healthcare providers to access GUIDE services and supports. GUIDE focuses on dementia care management and aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on their unpaid caregivers, and enable people living with dementia to remain in their homes and communities.

According to the 2024 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report, over the last two years, the home-based care turnover rate has increased by over 12% to reach a total of 79.2%. Employee recognition can help counter a high turnover rate. This makes it all more important to nominate your caregivers for the HCAOA Caregiver of the Year Award. It's free and your agency will get so much more in return. Employees that feel appreciated!

An executive order was released last week that undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, including their children, may remain in the U.S. while applying for permanent residence. Prior to this change, undocumented spouses were required to return to their home country to complete the application. HCAOA supports immigration reform to address the workforce shortage in the home care industry. This new policy could allow this demographic to enter the workforce at an expedited pace, providing an additional source for new employees.