Background

State Statistics (see below for key to abbreviations)

PC/HC Aide = Personal Care/Home Care Aide HHA = Home Health Aide CNA = Certified Nursing Assistant -- These charts include numbers for the BLS occupational group "nursing aides, orderlies and attendants." Avg DCW = Average direct-care worker wages -- calculated as a weighted median United States and state abbreviations are used (ex: VT = Vermont)

Vermont is a small rural state with a population of about 609,000. Sixteen percent of the population is age 60 or older. The U.S. Census estimates that by 2030 Vermont's elder population will increase by 124%. By that year the traditional caregiving workforce (women aged 25 to 44) will decrease by 7.6%.

Turnover is a problem in Vermont's nursing homes, and in home health services. In 2000, the average turnover rate for nursing assistants in nursing homes was 60%, and 34.5% for nursing assistants working for home health agencies. The majority of Vermont's current direct-care workforce are women over the age of 35: 35% were between the ages of 36 and 50, 25% were between the ages of 51 and 65. Anecdotal evidence suggests that turnover for younger workers is much higher than for older workers. With already high turnover rates, and the current workforce leaving the market with less and less people to replace them, the shortage of direct-care workers is expected to grow.

Vermont reports that in the next 15 years, the total demand for personal assistance services is likely to grow by 40% to 50%. While the need for nursing facilities is expected to drop slightly because of better health care, the overall need for long-term care services is expected to increase by 19% and the need for community-based services is expected to increase by 50%.

In the last few years, Vermont nursing homes have received almost $8 million in grants for a wage supplement. As a result, average wages across all direct-care positions have risen. However, large portions of these workers still do not receive benefits.


Sources:
1) Wasserman, J., 2003, Shaping the Future of Long Term Care, 2000-2010
2) Wasserman, J., 2003, Systems Capacity Study
3) Paraprofessional Staffing Study, 2001, Flint Springs Consulting
4) U.S. Census, 2000