One step toward alleviating the geriatric caregiver shortage that was the subject of a recent Institute of Medicine report and Senate hearing would be to pass a bill that Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced into the Senate last month.
The Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008 (S. 2708) would expand career ladder programs for direct-care workers and other caregivers, funding $4 million worth of additional training per year in fiscal years 2009 through 2012 and $3.5 million in 2013. It would also create a loan repayment program for physicians, psychologists, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners and social workers who agree to work for two years in a long-term care setting and an advisory panel to recommend more ways of strengthening the health and long-term care workforce.
The bill is endorsed by a number of powerful associations, including the American Geriatrics Society, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council on Aging, Alzheimer’s Association.
Elise Nakhnikian, Senior Online Editor
enakhnikian@phinational.org
Career Ladder Funding for DCW”S
I am Yvonne Atkinson, President of Presbyterian Homes in the Presbytery of Lake Erie in NW PA. We have a career ladder for every position in our company. Our employees are invited to learn more about care and safety of the residents. When they complete the training they receive more money.
We have had many complete the career ladders but we don’t really have a step up position to give them because when it is all said and done you need so many chiefs and so many indians for lack of a better discription.
If a CNA completes 2 ladders they become a CNA II or CNA III respectully but their duties don’t change. They receive more money and we hope that they become our mentors for new employees but that is not the result often achieved.
The Career Ladder concept is one to be studied. One completes it for the money but then the money becomes a non motivator in time.
Paying a respectful wage and offering a career ladder with no financial incentive might provide a better outcome. Then those who complete the studies are there because they want to learn and do better and that in their motivation.
Sincerely, Yvonne Atkinson
I beleive the bill is a step in the right direction but I have some concerns. First, before the bill is passed, there should be guidelines to enhance the position of the individuals taking the course of study. Will the individual be able to work or help design plan of care focusing on “patient-centered” programs. Some of the patient-centered programs are fine dining, residents choosing medication time and bath time, recreational activities, and outside leisure activities. Second, after the bill is passed, are there certain safeguards that facilities run by private organizations will raise pay scales for workers and not supress the pay scales by less than .50 raises. Performance evaluations are imperative but other incentives, such as monetary increases, educational opportunities, short-term rewards, and long-term rewards are necessary to maintain motivation in the direct-care workers industry.
There is nothing wrong with financial incentives but I would strive for rewards that are concrete and will benefit the worker in the long term.