Caregiver Deserts Become a New Concern Across the U.S.
You’ve heard of food deserts. They’re areas where fresh produce is hard to come by. There’s a new concern as more of the nation’s population is reaching retirement age. Caregiver deserts are areas where the number of elderly men and women outnumbers the number of caregivers and wait lists are forming. Is it a concern in your area?
Caregiver in Chadds Ford PA: Caregiver Deserts
How Can You Tell if It’s Going to Be an Issue?
Often, you won’t know if there’s going to be a wait until you start searching for care. Even then, there may be plenty of caregivers, but the type of care that’s needed may be the issue. Alzheimer’s care that requires constant monitoring due to a wandering risk may be harder to find, especially if overnight care is needed.
The other problem driving the shortage is that the pay for home care aides is low. Many states and agencies are looking at ways to solve this, but it could take years before any real change is seen. With the median hourly pay for caregiving at a little more than $11 an hour, the wage is not competitive considering the amount of work that’s required. As solutions are found, it will help ease the lower numbers of caregivers.
In 2017, Mercer released a report that looked at areas where there are concerns that there will be shortages in carers within 10 years.
States that are looking concerning include California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s report shows that the need for home care aides will increase by 41 percent in the next decade. It’s one of the fastest growing fields out there. While a high school diploma is usually the only educational requirement, on-the-job training is typically a requirement.
In states like California, plans are to create specialized training programs that offer high school graduates a stipend for caring for a senior with cognitive impairment for 12 months. In return, the new graduate gets a monthly stipend and grant money for college after the year is up.
Plan Ahead
The best way to avoid a gap in care is by arranging home care services as soon as you can. If your dad had a stroke and will need caregivers to help with transportation, meals, and housekeeping, don’t wait until he’s home from the hospital to start making calls. Call as soon as you know and a specialist can discuss pricing and the best services for your parent’s needs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Chadds Ford, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Sources:
Homehealthcarenews.com
Bls.gov
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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