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Direct-care
workers are known by many titles, including certified nursing
assistant (CNA), nursing assistant, home health aide, home care
aide, personal assistant, personal care attendant, and direct
support professional. They provide an estimated 70 to 80 percent
of the paid hands-on long-term care and personal assistance received
by Americans who are elderly, chronically ill, or living with
disabilities. There were approximately 2.5 million direct-care
workers in the U.S. in 2003, and another 800,000 jobs are expected
to open up over the next ten years as the population ages. Direct-care
workers work in many places, including nursing homes, their clients'
homes, adult day centers, assisted living facilities, and other
community settings.
Did You Know?: Nine out of ten direct-care workers are women.
Did You Know?: In 2003, the median hourly wage for all direct-care workers was $9.50, significantly less than the median wage of $13.53 for all U.S. workers.
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