The Arizona Republic cited PHI research in an column about the skyrocketing demand for direct care — especially home care — and the problems that could cause for the aging Baby Boomer generation.

Over the next decade, demand for direct care is predicted to increase by 35 percent, far outpacing the projected growth of the traditional labor pool for direct-care workers (2 percent).

In the column, PHI National Policy Director Steve Edelstein is quoted: “Unless we pay attention to building the direct-care workforce we will need, we may well find that when the full impact of the Baby Boom hits, the pendulum may swing back toward nursing-home care.”

The column, written by Linda Valdez, explores several training efforts underway in Arizona, with the goal of developing a high-quality, professional home care workforce.

The Tucson-based adult home care company Catalina In-Home Services — recently identified by PHI as an industry best practice for providing quality direct-care jobs — is featured in the article.

Also featured is the CareGiver Training Institute, which came into existence when Catalina’s founder, Judy Clinco, recognized the need for a high-quality, well-trained home care workforce. The Training Institute helps prepare students to become certified nursing assistants.