So, we’ve learned that caring for our aged is a major expense. That is not surprising given that by 2030, some 73 million Americans will be over 65; two years ago that number was about half that- at 40 million.
The US government expects that this aging population will need some 5 million aides to help them with daily tasks (by 2030). Thankfully, that increase is only about ½ the growth rate of the number of aged citizens.
So, you would think given our unemployment rate in the US, this would be a great job for folks. After all, the requirements to become a nursing aide only involves 75 hours of instruction (that’s the Federal requirement; some states demand twice that)- and no college degree. (Actually, a high school diploma is also not among the prerequisites.)
But, there’s another issue we are going to have to confront. The nursing homes that employ these folks don’t want to pay reasonable wages. They generally balk if the wage demand exceeds $12 an hour. That’s compared to the average wage for all occupations, which is about $ 16 an hour. (Consider that the “desired” pay rate the nursing home industry wants means the employee is making $24,000 a year, which is enough for a single person- but under the poverty level if there are kids or families to support. And, the nursing homes balk at benefits, as well- although Obamacare requirements will change some of that.)
So, you shouldn’t be surprised if this is one area where the jobs offered are not being scooped up. Especially when one considers that the injury rates can be fairly high (twice that of manufacturing, and about as prevalent as it would be if one worked in slaughterhouses), the work is not exactly fulfilling, and, certainly, physically demanding. Oh, and the demands for double shifts (not by the employees for more money, but by the nursing homes) don’t help, either.
Whether it’s the pay rate (low), the job conditions (see above), or the nursing home attitudes, the turnover rate for these positions is well over 40%- mostly because it is about 75% for many of the nursing homes. And, those high-turnover rate facilities are among those awarded the lowest quality rankings by regulatory agencies. (The conventional turnover rate for all health care facilities is about 25%.)
Top these facts off with the way some nursing homes are chintzing on their staffing (alluded to above when I said forced double-shifts); instead of one aide for every 10 residents, they are creeping to 15 or higher (even when the optimum ratio is closer to 7:1). Given these facts, it’s not surprising that neither the employees nor the residents are happy campers. (There are no federal requirements; about ½ the states have minimum staffing levels.)
As far as I am concerned, this is yet another place where industry makes a killing at the expense of its employees. After all, there are record revenues (up some 200% in the recent past, with totals of $150 billion), with EBDIT [earnings before depreciation, interest, and taxes] up 450% to $ 17 billion- or about 11 cents per dollar of revenue). (Note: Bloomberg reports that 78 percent of the revenues in the industry went to for-profits in 2010, up from 72 percent in 2002, so this is not surprising.) Clearly, they can’t ‘afford’ to pay a living wage- but can complain they can’t find employees.
Not a pleasant picture for those approaching their golden ages
Is this job for you? http://t.co/m3D5gssjeM via @Adjuvancy
Is this job for you? http://t.co/jppqtC9Pdu via @Adjuvancy
I have spent a lot of time in nursing homes and assisted living places. In fact, just the other day I was discussing this very job with mom. I know I can’t do what they do. They bounce from one crisis to another with a smile and a sweet spirit making barely better if better at all than minimum wage. I know this is off the subject of your post, but I find it to be one of our societies greatest offenses that the people who care for our children, and our elderly make so little while the person who throws around a ball makes millions. Priorities, we need some. Great post, shared far and wide. It takes a special heart to care for these people and so many of them do it so well.
Lisa recently posted..Healing Star Light 2 Dark by Lisa Brandel
Many of those workers manage to have the smile and the ability to care- in spite of the “dumps” they are provided. Another example of the unsung heroes among us, Lisa.
I like http://t.co/b5A6M2as1O on retirement homes in the US.
Another example of our youth-centric culture.
Not sure it’s emblematic of our youth-centered culture, as much as it is of our corporate-centered culture. Their desire for profits at the expense of their constituents- their employees and the quality of care they provide their residents- that’s the take-away I get, Marie.
I am so tired of greed. People complain that the government is too involved in our lives, but clearly there needs to be some way to regulate greed, especially when it comes to caring for those that can’t care for themselves. We can’t be left to our own devices because greed gets in the way far too often. I hope there is a change in the way our elderly are treated, because there are going to be a lot of us, as you mention in your article. As you also mention, a personal care aid is an incredibly demanding position, if only our pay scale matched the difficulty of our jobs.
Suerae Stein recently posted..Some Random Thoughts
Great addition, Suerae. Whether it’s the nursing homes, the banks, etc. we need to redevelop the morality of the workplace. It seems to have disappeared as a concept (now, they claim they are Amoral, and we are misunderstanding them…yeah, right!)
This post goes hand and glove with one by SequioaSeniors…
http://blog.sequoiaseniorsolutions.com/blog/bid/254426/In-Home-Care-Study-Alzheimer-s-Disease-Costs-to-Double-by-2040
Nursing home job insecurity: http://t.co/md46UxpnfD
Roy, you left out what it costs each patient to live in those places, whether paid by the person or by insurance/Medicare. The price is way out of line for even a minimally adequate one like the one my sister stayed at after her heart surgery.
Ann Mullen recently posted..In Home Care: Happiness Self-Test
Yes, Ann, you are absolutely correct. And, it may not be the patient’s cost- it could be what Medicare/Medicaid coughs up… Touche for bringing that point to the fore.
This is a scary picture to paint. My great grandmother was blind and in a home and the care she received was terrible. She had to hand feed herself. I thought the help was terrible. I have decided when my mother needs help and assisted living she will come and live with us. I couldn’t put someone I love in one of those homes.
Shawn recently posted..What Do You Want?!
It’s hard to say the help is terrible, if they are not being provided reasonable wages so that they care – because it’s obvious the management doesn’t either. That’s the permeation from the top- and the trouble at the bottom, Shawn…
It is sad, isn’t it? You would think that, in this day and age, we would know how to care for the our aged. The sad reality is that we don’t, despite huge price tags in care homes. Something is not quite right here. I believe that we need to take better care of each other (as in, amongst neighbours, etc…). It wouldn’t sole the problem but could help.
MuMuGB recently posted..Is Less Really More?
You hit the center of the target perfectly, Muriel. That is exactly the issue- as the nursing homes redner profits to themselves, they fail to offer reasonable wages to their employees, overwork them, don’t provide the care the residents deserve- and we all lose- but them.
Is this job for you? Could you be a carer? http://t.co/VQD1i5kZqG via @Adjuvancy
Providing quality Elderly care is a growing concern as more and more Boomers near retirement age. http://t.co/Qo6wXsdlPH
My wife is one of those employees. She works on average 28 days a month. She has between 9 and 12 people to care for everyday, Most of these are unable to take care of themselves, must be bathed, fed and clothed by her. She often goes to the “dollar store” and buys personal items for these people because they have no money of their own. The nursing home she works in charges on average $300. per day for the residence and pays my wife $12.00 per hour or about $1.00 per hour for each person she is caring for.
Chef William recently posted..Mexican Cooking
Thanks for bringing the personal issues to the post, Chef William.
Kudos to your wife for her efforts. An unsung hero!
I agree that the work conditions are difficult due to lifting, hygiene and emotional issues. It takes a special person to work with the elderly or disabled and do it in a kind manner while under stress. Not a happy picture.
Carolina HeartStrings recently posted..SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
Alessa, it’s certainly not a happy picture- especially given the ‘reasonable’ profits the industry are accumulating.