WASHINGTON—MissionCare Collective (MCC) and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) have unveiled a pivotal study entitled, "One Voice. Many Stories." This study alongside a new home care workforce video channel spotlighting raw and genuine conversations with home care workers, casts a light on the often-overlooked contributions, challenges and insights of home health aides and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
The official launch for this vital new study is scheduled for the 2023 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C., from Oct. 14-17.
Highlights from the "One Voice. Many Stories" study include:
- A Desire for Connectivity: Direct care workers crave connection and are often disconnected from the companies they serve, often with transactional relationships with employers. This detachment influences the sector's high turnover rate.
- Challenges of Familial Involvement: Homecare workers express the complexities and challenges of managing expectations and relationships with patient family members, from misunderstandings to ensuring a safe care environment.
- Racial Disparities: Care workers reveal the unfortunate and prevalent experiences of racial discrimination in their roles.
- The Call to Serve: Many tie their dedication to care to spiritual motivations, viewing their roles as both a profession and a calling.
- Economic Hardships: Low compensation forces numerous care workers to juggle multiple jobs, often outside their primary profession, to sustain themselves financially.
- The Wisdom of Older Generations: Senior caregivers bring a distinct perspective and set of skills to the home care environment.
"One Voice, Many Stories’ is not just a study," said Brandi Kurtyka, CEO of MissionCare Collective. "It's a heartfelt testament to those who pour their souls into caregiving. Our ambition is to elevate these voices, shedding light on their lived experiences to drive transformative changes in home care. As we face a workforce crisis, every story shared is a beacon for innovation, understanding, and crucially, actionable change.”
“This study allows us a profound opportunity," added NAHC President Bill Dombi. "By genuinely listening to direct care workers, we can better comprehend their aspirations, challenges, and ethos. Such understanding is vital as we strive to recruit and retain the compassionate and competent workforce that our aging and disabled citizens rightfully deserve.”
Access the complete “One Voice. Many Stories” series and study here.
