Why We Need to Save Connecticut's Direct Care Workforce

On Thursday, May 21st in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford Senior Resources Agency on Aging released a new report on shortages in the direct care workforce. The report examines the state’s growing shortage of direct care workers and the impact on older adults and people with disabilities.

The Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute reports the need for 4 million direct care workers nationwide by 2016; a demand that exceeds the need for teachers in grades K-12 (3.8 million), registered nurses (3.1 million) and waiters/waitresses (2.6 million) [source: http://phinational.org/issues/growing-demand/)].

“This coincides with the anecdotal information we’ve collected,” confirms Lisa Reynolds, Planner for Senior Resources-Agency on Aging. “There are simply not enough direct care workers to meet the growing demand; unfortunately this could mean that some may not get needed care. Our report provides information and alternatives that can help,” she adds. 

By 2030 it is projected that the elder population in Connecticut will increase 69 percent. At the same time, the shrinking pool of traditional direct care workers will decrease by 10 percent, contributing to the gap in care. Older adults and people with disabilities are the largest consumers of direct care services and may be particularly affected by the labor crisis.

Several Community Forums on the Direct Care Workforce Shortage are also scheduled:

• NORWICH - Thursday, October 8, 2009, 6:00 pm
  Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive
• WILLIMANTIC - Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6:00 pm
  ACCESS Agency, 1315 Main Street
• WATERFORD - Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 6:00 pm
  Waterford Community Center, 24 Rope Ferry Road
• NORWICH - Wednesday, November 12, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
  Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich