New Report Details Q1 Caregiver Hiring Trends

Augusta has released the latest edition of its National Caregiver Recruitment Benchmark Report, analyzing data from more than 120,000 caregiver applicants to home care agencies in the first quarter of 2026. HCAOA CEO Jason Lee contributed a foreword to the report. ​

The report offers benchmarks that home care leaders can use to evaluate their own hiring funnels. Augusta shared these five findings worth agencies' attention. 

1. Job boards vary in volume and quality. 
Indeed generated 68% of applications during the quarter, more than any other source. Smaller, direct-contact channels, such as community events, produced hire conversion rates up to three times higher. Agencies get the best results by drawing from multiple channels, since no single source delivers both volume and quality. 

2. Faster interviews lead to more hires. 
More than 55% of new hires were interviewed within four days of applying. Caregivers often apply to multiple agencies at once, so agencies that reach out quickly are more likely to make the hire. 

3. Local candidates are more likely to be hired. 
Seventy-seven percent of new hires live within 20 miles of their agency's service area, reinforcing the value of local recruiting over broader searches.
 
4. Many applicants lack caregiving experience. 
More than half of applicants have no professional caregiving background. Augusta frames this as an opportunity: agencies with strong training programs can build their own workforce rather than compete for a limited pool of experienced hires. 

5. Agencies are getting specific about flexibility. 
Flexible scheduling remains the top benefit caregivers look for, but fewer agencies advertised it as a vague perk this quarter. More listed exact options, such as full-time and part-time shifts and 24/7 support. 

Top takeaway: Augusta's data points to hiring funnel quality, not applicant volume, as the biggest lever for agencies looking to improve their recruiting results. 
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Members can register to download the full report from Augusta's website. 

Nominate Your Exceptional Caregiver 
HCAOA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Caregiver of the Year award, honoring caregivers who go above and beyond for the clients they serve. Submit your nomination by July 15.