Homecare Insights Survey Offers Glimpse at Caregiver Motivations, Perspectives and Priorities

Please share your name and title, a brief overview of your professional history, and a summary of HHAeXchange’s recent survey.

Stephen Vaccaro: In my role, I lead HHAeXchange’s market strategy and the national expansion of our state, payer, provider, and fiscal intermediary portfolios. I have over 25 years of leadership experience in the health care industry, having spent time on both the payer and provider sides of the market. I also have a background in sales, service delivery, strategic planning, project management, profit and loss management, product development, and acquisition integration.

HHAeXchange recently conducted the 2024 Homecare Insights Survey, gathering responses from nearly 4000 caregivers to understand their motivations and find ways to enhance caregiver satisfaction. The survey sheds light on several key areas crucial for improving caregiver experiences and patient outcomes.

According to the 2024 HHAeXchange Homecare Insights survey responses, 91% of caregivers view their relationships with clients as a key factor in job satisfaction, which is a 17% increase from last year’s survey results. Why do you think so many caregivers take satisfaction in building patient relationships?

Vaccaro: Caregiving is inherently a profession built on compassion. The number of caregivers who say they value their relationships with clients highlights the emotional fulfillment they derive from their work. The increase from last year isn’t surprising given the industry’s continued growth — the employment of homecare workers is projected to grow 22% between 2022 and 2032 — and the fact that more states are prioritizing funding to enhance caregiver training programs. 

Strong patient-caregiver bonds foster trust and improve the quality of care, which makes the caregiver’s role more rewarding. Caregivers who forge these connections see firsthand the positive impact they have on their clients’ lives, and that sparks a genuine commitment to making a difference.

Over 82% of surveyed caregivers would like to see increased pay and benefits packages, while 42.1% would appreciate more recognition and appreciation. How can the homecare industry and providers address the desires caregivers have expressed?

Vaccaro: State Medicaid agencies have authority over reimbursement rates, which partially determine what providers can pay caregivers. So, states have a unique opportunity to positively impact the homecare industry by advocating for fair, sustainable wages that support the well-being of caregivers and the individuals they serve.

For providers, a multifaceted approach is an ideal place to start. By keeping wage structures as competitive as possible, offering enhanced benefits, and awarding performance-based bonuses, agencies demonstrate investment in their caregivers' financial well-being. Recognizing caregivers' value is also essential and can be done through data-driven incentives programs. These track workers’ performance and career milestones – such as satisfaction ratings, making referrals, or caring for a certain number of patients – and provide rewards like bonuses, trips or gifts. It’s an excellent way to celebrate caregivers’ achievements and express gratitude.

Investing in caregivers' growth and development is also crucial. Agencies can provide career advancement opportunities through training, certifications, and promotions, empowering caregivers to acquire new skills and move up the career ladder. 

Nearly 60% of caregivers are willing to spend extra time recording patient observations if doing so would improve a client’s care. How does Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) make it easier for caregivers to report those extra observations?

Vaccaro: User-friendly EVV platforms can help caregivers maximize their resources and efforts by streamlining and simplifying certain duties. The platform provides valuable tools that ease the reporting process while saving time, increasing accuracy, and strengthening online security. Real-time data entry allows caregivers to enter notes and observations on the spot using mobile devices, eliminating the need for later data entry or missed observations. Automated records ensure that all information is accurately time-stamped and stored securely to lower the potential for errors.

EVV’s capabilities are designed to record a member’s experience from beginning to end, so they can help caregivers identify and address social determinants of health and other less-apparent factors that may end up impacting a member's health. By combining the homecare visit data recorded by caregivers with other population health analytics, EVV is transforming service delivery and enhancing health outcomes. 

The survey revealed that 32% of polled caregivers would like specialized training to understand how to treat patients with specific illnesses (such as Alzheimer disease, diabetes, etc.) and how to use additional equipment (such as medical lifts, patient monitoring devices, etc.). How would this training benefit caregivers, agencies, and patients?

Vaccaro: It’s important to approach training with a continuous growth mindset. Too often, caregivers are onboarded and, after getting up to speed, go far too long without learning new skills or brushing up on their initial training. Programs that follow onboarding up with more targeted training opportunities benefit caregivers and generate more revenue for agencies. In fact, agencies that offer eight hours of orientation and 12 hours of ongoing training increased their annual revenue by $6814 per caregiver. Specialized training also raises caregivers’ job satisfaction levels and confidence, providing new skills to help them move up the career ladder and improve outcomes. When caregivers are happy and thriving, agency retention rates improve.

Having a skilled workforce of expertly trained caregivers to handle complex situations is wonderful for members. Even those with serious chronic issues or multiple conditions can receive more informed homecare tailored to their specific health needs. When members trust caregivers’ abilities and knowledge, it makes a meaningful difference in their outlook and quality of life. 

While 60% of caregivers said making a positive impact on their clients' health and well-being is their biggest motivator, workers' own well-being may take a backseat to job-related pressure. In fact, 24% said they'd like stress-relief training. How can agencies prioritize team members' well-being and mental health to minimize burnout and turnover?

Vaccaro: Agencies can prioritize their caregivers' well-being by conducting regular check-ins, such as one-on-one meetings between caregivers and their supervisors to discuss workload, health, and well-being, ensuring caregivers feel supported and heard. Offering stress-relief programs, like meditation classes, alongside training sessions can help caregivers manage job-related pressure and avoid burnout. Also, providing access to mental health resources like counseling services or employee assistance programs helps to foster a supportive and nurturing environment.

Additionally, providing versatile scheduling options and flexible work hours helps caregivers balance their work and personal lives. Some caregivers also may appreciate the opportunity to participate in peer support groups, where they can share experiences with colleagues and discuss strategies for coping with stress.