This report examines workforce displacement and re-entry during the COVID-19 pandemic among direct care workers and workers from similar entry-level occupations, such as food preparation and serving, office and administrative support, and others. The study’s purpose was to understand whether and how new workers were recruited into direct care jobs during this crisis, which has implications for the long-term care field.
Key Takeaways
The purpose of this study was to understand whether and how new workers were recruited into direct care jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.
13.7 million U.S. workers were displaced from occupations with similar entry-level requirements to direct care during the first three months of COVID-19 in 2020.
4% of direct care workers were displaced during the second quarter of 2020, and an immeasurably small number of displaced workers (from direct care or any other occupation) were re-employed into direct care.
Contributing Authors
Stephen McCall (PHI), Kezia Scales (PHI), and Joanne Spetz (UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care)
