Question

.      It is known that simply adding new geriatric services to a system focused on acute care will not solve the care needs of increasing numbers of the chronically ill. Given the continuing and certain increasing crisis in supply of the long-term care workforce, what are some suggestions to attract more young people into careers in custodial caregiving for the chronically ill? In your response, identify recruitment barriers and possible solutions.

Answer 1

Census reports predict that the percentage of people falling under the age between 65 and more is supposed to rise in the upcoming periods. This means that demand for demand for long-term care is bound to increase perpetually as well. Life expectancy has been increasing tremendously over the previous periods that further enhance the population falling in the dependent category. So the demand for long term care workforce is increasing due to increasing numbers of the chronically ill. There are certain barriers which are making it unfavorable profession:

• Generally, members of paraprofessional are economically weak and wage rate is relatively less than other professions.
• Most of members of para-profession are not educated.
• Lack of fringe benefits.

Suggestions

• Providing training and fringe benefits such as insurance etc.
• Immigration of labor can be a one measure to complete this gap.
• Increasing average wage rate in this sector. It would increase competition and good quality of staff can be recruited.