Blog August 30, 2019

Spotlight: EWA Highlights the Eldercare Workforce for Labor Day

This Labor Day, EWA hopes you will join us in recognizing, celebrating, and supporting the work of the eldercare workforce.

Each year, on the first Monday in September, our country comes together to celebrate the contributions American workers have made to our nation. This year, we want to recognize the often over-looked eldercare workforce and reinforce the importance of the work they do each day. Whether it be health professionals, social workers, family caregivers, direct care workers, or others, these individuals play a critical role in keeping our loved ones healthy.

Included in the following pages are series of tweets, Facebook posts, images, and resources for you to join us in this campaign. We hope you share the facts and stories that resonate with you and add your own voice to the conversation with #TogetherWeCare.

We hope this Labor Day, and the days and weeks to follow, to educate the public, policy makers, and fellow advocates about the importance of this group and the work that needs to be done to ensure our health system can provide high quality care to our older loved ones.

 

Social Media Posts

Below is a list of social media posts to engage in the social media conversation in the days leading up to and following Labor Day #TogetherWeCare.

This #LaborDay join us in recognizing the #eldercare workforce #TogetherWeCare

On #LaborDay don’t overlook the #eldercare workforce who help keep our #aging loved ones healthy #TogetherWeCare

This Labor Day we want to recognize the often over-looked eldercare workforce and reinforce the importance of the work they do each day. Whether it be health professionals, social workers, family caregivers, direct care workers, or others, these individuals play a critical role in keeping our loved ones healthy. Join the conversation with #TogetherWeCare to share your eldercare workforce experience.  https://bit.ly/2PPc2vf

Check out our Year-In-Review from the #TogetherWeCare campaign that highlighted different parts of the workforce that cares for older adults #LaborDay http://ow.ly/CVuT50vNZWA

Tweets on Recent News Articles to Post

This #LaborDay, we need to recognize caregivers and their role in caring for us all as we age. Read @nytimes “Why Aren’t More Women Working? They’re Caring for Parents” http://ow.ly/MvIL50vO13J #TogetherWeCare

This #LaborDay we recognize the often over-looked direct-care workforce that cares for us all as we age. One of the fastest growing, hardest jobs in America. It’s also one of the lowest paying jobs. Via @voxdotcom profile of this work. #TogetherWeCare http://ow.ly/mY8T50vMN8d

“There is a significant gap between a home health aide job and the next formalized title, licensed practical nurse,” via @PHInational This #LaborDay read about how an advanced home care role can benefit workers and clients. http://ow.ly/e9Cs50vMNq5 #TogetherWeCare

In August, @washingtonpost featured a story about Maine’s eldercare workforce shortage. All states are growing older and experiencing this. Read more about the issue this #laborday as we highlight the importance of the eldercare workforce. http://ow.ly/2vXI50vMOi8 #TogetherWeCare

 

Workforce Facts and Resources

This #LaborDay, visit EWA member @LeadingAge for resources for aging services in their Center for Workforce Solutions https://www.leadingage.org/workforce#TogetherWeCare

The workforce is a vital component to caring for all of us as we age. This #LaborDay we want to highlight EWA member @ahcancal resources for the LTC workforce. http://ow.ly/VRq350vMP0O #TogetherWeCare

For an excellent resource this #LaborDay on the workforce that cares for older adults, read @AGSJournal special “Workforce for Seriously Ill Older Adults in the Community” #TogetherWeCare http://ow.ly/57io50vO1E7

By 2030 we’ll need 3.5 mill more healthcare professionals, direct-care workers to meet demand #TogetherWeCare https://60caregiverissues.org/the-future-of-long-term-care-issue-1.html

We must pay direct care workers higher wages if we want to care for us we all age.  Direct care workers earned an average of $11.83 and 42% rely on public assistance.  This must change! https://phinational.org/policy-research/workforce-data-center/#tab=National+Data

Senior care pharmacists play a critical role in the health of older adults.  Learn more about senior care pharmacy here.

 

Caregiver Facts and Stories

Approximately 40 million caregivers in the United States provide 37 billion hours of care #TogetherWeCare

Via @APA this #laborday: the emotional lives of caregivers. This article explores the dynamics of when older adults become their spouse’s caregiver. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/07-08/caregivers #togetherwecare

Unpaid services of family caregivers was estimated at $470 billion, almost equal to Walmart’s annual sales in 2013 #TogetherWeCare

Almost half of family caregivers perform medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones #TogetherWeCare

On average, caregivers spend 24.4 hours a week providing care to their loved one #TogetherWeCare

About 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone with #Alzheimers or other dementia http://ow.ly/p8zD303ISqH #TogetherWeCare

Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care http://ow.ly/p8zD303ISqH #TogetherWeCare

With 70% of caregivers between the ages of 50 -64, the caregiving population is also #aging rapidly http://ow.ly/p8zD303ISqH #TogetherWeCare