|
Participants Give Washington Home Care Authority Programs High Marks
June 21, 2006
The Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA), a Washington-based agency that supports people who need long-term in-home care, recently evaluated the results of two of its support programs for home care workers: a peer mentor program and a professional development program. The preliminary findings were positive for both, although some changes and more study were recommended to help ensure their effectiveness.
In an effort to improve retention rates, HCQA developed Referral and Workforce Resource Centers at four sites serving nine Washington Counties. A grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services enabled the centers to launch several programs, including peer mentoring, worker orientation training, employee recognition, professional development opportunities, and a resource clearinghouse.
In A Preliminary Analysis of the Peer Mentor Program in Nine Washington Counties, nearly all (94 percent) of the mentees said that peer mentors provided a valuable service for them and that they felt comfortable contacting their mentor when they needed help. In addition, 87 percent said that they were able to reach a peer mentor when needed, that their mentor helped them resolve their issue, and that they appreciated the help of their peer mentor. The majority strongly believed that peer mentors improve the quality of in-home care, though they had difficulty in articulating how. The authors recommended continuing the program. They also recommended a set of improvements.
A Preliminary Analysis of the Professional Development Program in Six Washington Counties reported that participants in the home care authority's educational program were universally positive about their experience, reporting that they were already using the knowledge and skills learned, which allow them to better serve their employers. The authors strongly recommend continuing the program, perhaps with some changes in its design. They also recommend further research to determine whether the program increases retention rates or improves care quality.
Elise Nakhnikian
Communications Specialist
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute
< back to news |
