Schuylkill County Direct Care Workers Association
Who are direct care workers?
Direct care workers provide an estimated 70-80% of the paid hands-on long-term care and personal assistance received by Americans who are elderly or living with disabilities or other chronic conditions. These workers help their consumers bathe, dress, eat and a host of other daily tasks. They are a lifeline for those they serve, as well as for families struggling to provide quality care. Direct care workers also consititute one of the largest and fastest growing workforces in the country, playing a vital role in job creation and economic growth.
Job Titles/Responsibilities
Direct care workers fall into three categories: Nursing Assistants (usually known as certified nursing assistants or CNAs), home health aides and personal and home care aides:
Nursing Assistants or Nurse Aides generally work in nursing homes although some work in assisted living facilities, other community based settings or hospitals. They assist consumers with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting. They also perform clinical tasks such as range-of-motion exercises and blood pressure readings.
Home Health Aides provide essentially the same care and services as nursing assistants, but they assist people in their homes or in community settings under the supervision of a nurse or therapist. They may also perform light housekeeping tasks such as preparing food or changing linens.
Personal and Home Care Aides may work in either private or group homes. They have many titles, including personal care attendant, home care worker, personal assistant, and direct support professional (the latter work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities). In addition to providing assistance with ADLs, these aides often help with housekeeping chores, meal perperation and medication management. They also help individuals go to work and remain engaged in their communities. A growing number of personal assistance workers are employed and supervised directly by consumers rather than working for an agency. These workers may provide some clinical assistance as well.
The Federal government requires training only for nursing assitants and home health aides who work in Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes and home health agencies. For workers coming into the field without training, most employers provide some level of traiining for them.