scholarly journals Second Job Holding Among Direct Care Workers and Nurses: Implications for COVID-19 Transmission in Long-Term Care

2020 ◽  
pp. 107755872097412
Author(s):  
Reagan A. Baughman ◽  
Bryce Stanley ◽  
Kristin E. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Licensed Practical Nurses ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Practical Nurses ◽  
Nursing Aides

One reason that nursing homes are a primary source of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the United States may be that workers hold multiple jobs. We use 2010-2019 Current Population Survey data to document the rate of second jobholding among nursing and long-term care workers. On average, 6.41% of personal care and nursing aides and 6.23% of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses hold second jobs; second job holding rates are 35% and 32% higher than those of other workers, respectively. Both wages and hours in the primary job are negatively associated with the probability of holding a second job for personal care and nursing aides, while lower hours are more strongly correlated with a second job for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Many of these workers move across health settings from their first to second jobs, and 15% of second jobs for personal care and nursing aides are in other “essential” occupations.

scholarly journals It Is Time to Resolve the Direct Care Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kezia Scales
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Direct Care Workers ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Home Health Aides ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Direct Care Workforce

Abstract Nearly 4.6 million direct care workers—including personal care aides, home health aides, and nursing assistants—provide daily support to older adults and people with disabilities across a range of settings in the United States, predominantly in long-term care (LTC). Even as the population grows older and drives up demand for LTC, the sector continues its decades-long struggle to fill direct care positions and stabilize this essential workforce. Recent events and emerging trends have converged, however, to produce new opportunities to address this longstanding workforce crisis, including the unprecedented attention generated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the systemic shifts to managed care and value-based payment in LTC. This Forum article outlines the pressing direct care workforce challenges in LTC before describing these potential levers of change, emphasizing the importance of not just expanding the workforce but also maximizing direct care workers’ contributions to the delivery of high-quality services for a growing and evolving population of LTC consumers.

A Rapid Qualitative Appraisal of the Impact of COVID-19 on Long-term Care Communities in the United States: Perspectives from Area Aging Staff and Advocates

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-322
Author(s):  
Andrea Freidus ◽  
Dena Shenk ◽  
Christin Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Community ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Key Points ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 epidemic has hit residents and staff of congregate long-term care communities particularly hard. In North Carolina, the site of this research, over half of registered mortality has been associated with congregate living communities. This article reports on phase one of a rapid qualitative assessment of long-term care professionals and regional aging staff navigating care during this epidemic. Our purpose is twofold. We demonstrate both the value of rapid qualitative appraisals to capture the perspectives and concerns of COVID-19’s long-term care workers and area aging staff, in this case, the staff and advocates that care for and protect the rights of long-term care community residents as well as present data collected in this phase. Key points raised focus on safety, including access and use of personal protective equipment, infection control, limited testing, and staffing issues. In addition, participants expressed concerns about the physical and mental health of residents because they have been isolated from family and friends since the executive order closed these communities to all non-essential people. We will utilize these data, in collaboration with staff and advocates, to inform policy and programming to better address the needs of both residents and staff of long-term care communities.

scholarly journals Running to stand still? Two decades of trade union activity in the Irish long-term care sector

2021 ◽  
pp. 102425892110284
Author(s):  
Caroline Murphy ◽  
Michelle O’Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Public Expenditure ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Policy Regimes ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Workers

This article examines the ongoing efforts of trade unions in Ireland to protect and improve the working conditions of personal care workers amid employment and social policy regimes associated with a liberal welfare state. Comparatively low public expenditure on care and the increasing marketisation of care services have undermined the provision of decent work. This article assesses two major union campaigns related to personal care workers over two decades, and reviews the key priorities that have emerged for unions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider whether the outcomes of these campaigns have been converted into enhanced rewards for workers and discuss the continuing challenges for union campaigning.

scholarly journals Assessing apathy in long-term care residents with dementia: Who should be the rater?

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2220-2229
Author(s):  
Ying-Ling Jao ◽  
Kristine Williams ◽  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Liza Behrens ◽  
Caroline McDermott
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Certified Nursing Assistants ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Licensed Practical Nurses ◽  
Practical Nurses

Background Apathy is prominent in persons with dementia and apathy assessment is challenging. It remains unclear who should conduct apathy assessments in long-term care settings for residents with moderate to advanced dementia. The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) is a widely used instrument and its use for long-term care residents with dementia needs to be further established. This study explored the relationship among apathy assessments conducted by family and clinical caregivers using the original AES (AES-18) and the nursing home version (AES-10). Methods This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive design and enrolled 15 quartets of participants recruited from long-term care settings. Each quartet consisted of one resident with dementia, one family member, one certified nursing assistant, and one licensed practical nurse or activity staff. Family, certified nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses/activity staff rated the resident’s apathy level on the AES independently. Bivariate Pearson correlation coefficients were used for analysis. Results The results revealed that ratings conducted by certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses/activity staff were moderately correlated for the AES-18 and the result approached statistical significance (r = 0.47, p = .08). None of the other AES ratings among family, certified nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses/activity staff were significantly correlated. Discussion Family and clinical caregivers were incongruent on their AES ratings of apathy. It remains undetermined which rater provides the most valid AES rating for residents with dementia. Findings from this study further highlight challenges in rating apathy in this population. Future research is needed to determine best practices for accurate apathy assessment for residents with dementia in long-term care.

scholarly journals Supporting the Dynamic Careers of Licensed Practical Nurses: A Strategy to Bolster the Long-Term Care Nurse Workforce

2021 ◽  
pp. 152715442110302
Author(s):  
Cheryl B. Jones ◽  
Meriel McCollum ◽  
Alberta K. Tran ◽  
Mark Toles ◽  
George J. Knafl
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Career Transitions ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Nurse ◽  
Job Transitions ◽  
Licensed Practical Nurses ◽  
Practical Nurses ◽  
Employment Data

As the U.S. population ages and the demand for long-term care increases, an insufficient number of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is expected in the nursing workforce. Understanding the characteristics of LPN participation in the workforce is essential to address this challenge. Drawing on the theory of boundaryless careers, the authors examined longitudinal employment data from LPNs in North Carolina and described patterns in LPN licensure and career transitions. Two career patterns were identified: (a) the continuous career, in which LPNs were licensed in 75% or more of the years they were eligible to be licensed and (b) the intermittent career, in which lapses in licensure occurred. Findings indicated that LPNs who made job transitions were more likely to demonstrate continuous careers, as were Black LPNs. These findings suggest the importance of organizational support for LPN career transitions and support for diversity in the LPN workforce.

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