Ashley L Schoenfisch1,2, Hester Lipscomb2, Leslie E Phillips3. 1. Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina. 2. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. 3. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare NW Health Benefits Trust, Seattle, Washington.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A rate-based understanding of home care aides' adverse occupational outcomes related to their work location and care tasks is lacking. METHODS: Within a 30-month, dynamic cohort of 43 394 home care aides in Washington State, injury rates were calculated by aides' demographic and work characteristics. Injury narratives and focus groups provided contextual detail. RESULTS: Injury rates were higher for home care aides categorized as female, white, 50 to <65 years old, less experienced, with a primary language of English, and working through an agency (versus individual providers). In addition to direct occupational hazards, variability in workload, income, and supervisory/social support is of concern. CONCLUSIONS: Policies should address the roles and training of home care aides, consumers, and managers/supervisors. Home care aides' improved access to often-existing resources to identify, manage, and eliminate occupational hazards is called for to prevent injuries and address concerns related to the vulnerability of this needed workforce.
INTRODUCTION: A rate-based understanding of home care aides' adverse occupational outcomes related to their work location and care tasks is lacking. METHODS: Within a 30-month, dynamic cohort of 43 394 home care aides in Washington State, injury rates were calculated by aides' demographic and work characteristics. Injury narratives and focus groups provided contextual detail. RESULTS: Injury rates were higher for home care aides categorized as female, white, 50 to <65 years old, less experienced, with a primary language of English, and working through an agency (versus individual providers). In addition to direct occupational hazards, variability in workload, income, and supervisory/social support is of concern. CONCLUSIONS: Policies should address the roles and training of home care aides, consumers, and managers/supervisors. Home care aides' improved access to often-existing resources to identify, manage, and eliminate occupational hazards is called for to prevent injuries and address concerns related to the vulnerability of this needed workforce.
Authors: Barbara J Polivka; Sarah Anderson; Steve A Lavender; Carolyn M Sommerich; Donald L Stredney; Celia E Wills; Amy R Darragh Journal: Games Health J Date: 2018-09-19
Authors: Shereen Hussein; Ann-Marie Towers; Sinead Palmer; Nadia Brookes; Barbora Silarova; Petra Mäkelä Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-15 Impact factor: 3.390