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The Eldercare/Disability Direct Care Workforce: Invisible, Underutilized and Essential. Steven L. Dawson President 9 March 2009. Healthcare jobs = essential to U.S. economy. LTC is essential to healthcare employment. LTC will be increasingly essential….
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The Eldercare/Disability Direct Care Workforce:Invisible, Underutilized and Essential Steven L. Dawson President 9 March 2009
DC workforce—massive yet invisible By 2016, there will be more direct-care workers (4 million) than: • Teachers from K through 12 (3.8 m.) • Registered nurses (3.1 m.) • Fast food & counter workers (3.5 m) • Waiters & waitresses (2.6 m.) • Cashiers (3.4 m.)
DC workers—an underutilized resource… • Soon to be 4,000,000 strong • Already investing $56 billion/year • Providing 8 out of every 10 hours of paid care …A substantial human capital asset that is available to improve quality services
Re-write the job description for DC workers • Home-care “front line” for chronic disease management • Continuing care workers—trained across settings • Wellness and prevention educational role • Liaisons to family caregivers offering skills & supports
Eldercare Workforce Alliance Collaborating for a Stronger Eldercare Workforce Project Director: Alice H. Hedt www.eldercareworkforce.org ahedt@eldercareworkforce.org Steven L. Dawson (PHI) Nancy E. Lundebjerg (AGS) Alliance Co-Conveners
Eldercare Workforce Alliance members **Alliance Co-conveners
The Eldercare/Disability Direct Care Workforce:Invisible, Underutilized and Essential Steven L. Dawson President SDawson@PHInational.org