Home care is a stressful business and home care recruitment is a stressful task, but a new study by the Stanford Center on Longevity and the Stanford University Psychology Department weighs the mental toll on Caregivers. This study, in cooperation with Comfort Keepers and ClearCare, examines familial Caregivers and their mental well-being. Many agencies help familial Caregivers get reimbursement for taking care of loved ones, and even for agencies who don’t operate that way today, the study provides some interesting takeaways for CNA recruitment and retention.
Being a Caregiver is a highly demanding job, and often times it can be isolating. Social interactions are vital in keeping a high emotional well-being. For many Caregivers and CNAs who work lots of hours at multiple agencies, keeping up on their social lives is a challenge. Remember that home care is a people first business, and be sure to inject some “human element” into your operation. Give Caregivers and CNAs a way to interact with their peers and co-workers, and have an outlet when needed. This can help prevent burnout and reduce turnover, as well as show you put your Caregivers first and attract more candidates when hiring CNAs.
Support is needed
For Caregivers and CNAs working with those who need help every day, a support network is a necessity. Agencies should be looking for ways to do their part to help. Providing training on various types of clients, particularly those that tend to be more difficult such as alzheimer's/dementia patients, can be a great way to arm your staff with the strategies they need to thrive. A growing part of Caregiver recruitment is increased training for your staff. It helps keep them happy, healthy, and a positive member of the team.
As new research surfaces about home care recruiting and retention, we’re beginning to see the importance of continuing education and support for Caregivers. The agencies who do the most to enable and empower their staff are having the most success recruiting Caregivers today.
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