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If you are running an adult family home or thinking about starting one, you probably already know it can be a complicated and highly rewarding venture. There are currently around 4000 adult family homes in Washington State. These independent homes can house and care for up to six residents. This means that just in Washington State, tens of thousands of people are in adult family homes. More and more people nowadays need care , and there is a lack of qualified caregivers . Th

The in-home care industry will need to fill an estimated 7 million personal care aid , home health aid, and nursing assistant jobs between 2020 and 2030. As the need for caregiving jobs continues to increase, it becomes all the more important for home care agencies to stand out from the competition in order to attract the best possible candidates for the job, which, in turn, leads to long-term success and growth of the agency. This may sound obvious, but the first step in a

Continuing education is necessary for every caregiver. According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, long-term care workers must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education courses each year. As an employer, you should encourage and support your caregivers to complete this training. Of course, the official requirements are not the only reason. Offering full support when it comes to continuing education is one of the best ways to keep you

Finding great staff is not easy, especially in a challenging profession such as caregiving . However, it’s important to make an effort to find the suitable candidates. Turnover in the field has become a huge problem. With a turnover rate of 65.2%, most agencies struggle to keep their employees. However, high turnover rates and many other problems can be prevented with the proper hiring. Hiring the best possible staff also protects your agency's reputation and guarantees clie

The best caregivers are people who develop an understanding of what quality care looks like for their clients through experience and training. That is why it’s never been more critical for homecare agencies to invest in exceptional training of caregivers. Considering that an estimated 80% of caregiver turnover happens within the first three months of employment, homecare agencies have limited time to fully prepare their employees for success. Caregiver turnover in 2021 was 64

The need for long-term caregivers in Washington State is reaching a crisis stage due to the combination of a rapidly aging population and a declining workforce. A 2018 estimate by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services , warns that by 2030, Medicaid beneficiaries alone would require 77,000 home care aides. Given the high turnover rate in this profession, the number of caregivers needed to help this population is closer to 125,000. This is also just for

Have you ever met a doctor, nurse, or social worker, someone whose profession is based on compassion, and yet they seemed hardened? It almost seems as if they have very little empathy to spare for another human being, despite working in a field with direct service to other people. On the surface, they might seem efficient because they are not burdened by panic or overwhelmed with feelings. You might think that their patients’ or clients’ problems don’t affect them. However, t

One of the biggest problems in the caregiving industry is the massive turnover rates for workers. In Washington State, there is a significant shortage of caregivers already, which is only worsened by the turnover rates, so much so that it is now considered a workforce crisis. According to a 2018 report by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), it was projected that 77,000 home care aides will be needed by 2030 for the needs of clients on Medic

Being a caregiver is challenging work, and good caregivers are not easy to find. As it turns out, they are even more difficult to keep. A Home Care Benchmarking Study from 2021 has shed light on a shocking truth: the turnover rate for caregivers is 65.2%. If you run an adult family home or an assisted living facility, chances are you have already witnessed this statistic in real life. It can be costly and time-consuming to keep training and onboarding new caregivers , only

An important part of self-care and wellness for caregivers is managing stress. The job itself is incredibly demanding and it can take a toll on your health and emotional state. Being a pillar for someone else to lean on can be draining and stressful, and challenging situations are sometimes a daily occurrence. You cannot expect the pressure or the responsibility of the job to decrease over time. Instead, it’s important to learn ways to take care of yourself so you can proces

The effects of a stroke on a patient can be extensive and long-lasting. How exactly a person will be affected, to what extent, and how long the consequences will last, differs from patient to patient. Additionally, there are even differences between the right and left side stroke . Stroke is, unfortunately, one of the most common medical emergencies. Each year in the US, around 800 000 people suffer a stroke . Out of those, some 60 percent survive. Most of the survivors requ

Being a caregiver is a noble and challenging profession that requires a lot of knowledge and skill. If you are a compassionate person who cares about helping others, this might be the right career path for you. However, to become a caregiver, and get your HCA licensing , there are certain requirements that you have to meet. Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a caregiver in Washington State. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Background Checks and

Caregivers have one of the noblest jobs, but also one of the most difficult. Providing physical, mental, and emotional support to another person, and establishing a good, trusting relationship can take an immense toll on the caregiver’s health. While taking care of their client is a priority for every caregiver, it is also crucial to take some time for self-care. Taking the time to satisfy your own needs will prevent burnout and help you do your job better. What Is Self-Car

As a caregiver, with many clients, you will be responsible for their nutritional needs. This might include cooking for them, feeding them or helping them eat, helping them build healthier dietary choices , or sometimes just encouraging them to eat. Eating sounds like such a basic thing, something that you don’t need to give a second thought to, but in a caregiver’s line of work, it can oftentimes be fraught with difficulty. Whether it’s because your client has difficulty swa

Proper nutrition is a vital part of a person’s health and well-being. In their daily work, caregivers often prepare food for their clients or even help feed them. With our fast-paced lives, an abundance of ready-made meals, and stores packed full of unhealthy, highly processed foods, it is easy to forget what constitutes a healthy meal. Healthy meals don’t have to be time-consuming and they can be quite delicious. The Basics of Eating Nutrition includes the processes of eatin

One of the common tasks of a caregiver is to support stroke survivors and care for them through their recovery. Every year in the US alone, almost 800,000 people have a stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the country, especially since it commonly causes mobility issues. The process of caring for a stroke patient can be challenging and confusing, so it is important to make sure caregivers understand as much as possible to be able to provide care with confiden

HIPAA for Caregivers says sharing a client's diagnosis without written authorization is a federal violation. Understand PHI, the Security Rule, and your compliance obligations as a home care worker.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but sometimes it gets overlooked. Depression is one of the most common mental health issues that affect older adults. It is not a normal part of old age, but it is still very common in older people. In the US alone, almost 6 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from some form of depression. Sometimes it can be difficult for older people to recognize it, and sometimes they are reluctant to ask for help even when t

Pain is an evolutionary protective mechanism. In simple words, pain has a purpose: to tell us when the body needs attention and healing to help us avoid further injury, and to remind us not to use the injured part until it heals. Chronic pain, however, continues past the point of being helpful and often causes serious challenges on a daily basis, making normal tasks difficult and negatively impacting the quality of life for as long as it lasts. The Prevalence of Chronic Pain

Caregiving is one of the most rewarding jobs, but it can also be incredibly challenging. It takes a lot of practical knowledge and skill, but it also takes a lot of patience and soft skills. In order to be able to work with a client, professional caregivers have to be able to keep their patience, remain calm in any situation, and establish trust not only with the client, but also with their family and their healthcare providers. Why Are Some Clients More Challenging Than Oth