Posted by Aaron Pickering on August 30th, 2010 at 10:17 am | No Comments »
The following is a guest post from Nancy Hooyman, Co-Principal Investigator for the Council on Social Work Education’s Center for Gerontological Social Work Education and Dean Emeritus and Hooyman Endowed Professor in Gerontology, University of Washington School of Social Work.
Nancy Hooyman
The vitally necessary Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act is deserving of the support from a wide range of stakeholders – social workers, other eldercare providers, those committed to social justice as well as those focused on the economics of long-term care. Direct care staff are second only to families as the primary providers of long-term care — the “hands, voice, face” and core of the long-term care system. The care they provide is “high-touch” intimate, personal, and physically/emotionally challenging (Harahan and Stone, 2009; Institute of Medicine, 2008). These hands-on providers are expected to be compassionate yet usually do not feel prepared, respected, or appreciated, in part because our society does not value the socially and economically important work of caregiving.
Supporting this Act is also a matter of social justice and congruent with social work’s commitment to improve the lives of historically disadvantaged groups. The intersections of gender, race, and immigration status are reflected in the low status and negative work conditions of direct care workers. Advocates for women’s equity should also support this Act; nine out of ten of direct care staff are women, oftentimes single mothers, with minimal education, frequently holding more than one job but still living in poverty or near-poverty, and increasingly dependent on food stamps and other public benefits to get by. The Act is also an issue of racial justice Continue reading »
Posted by Vera Salter on June 21st, 2010 at 12:10 pm | No Comments »
Vera Salter
DCA is proud to endorse the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Code of Ethics. Direct care workers are essential to the well-being of millions of elderly and people living with disabilities. Each day, we are faced with challenges and are forced to think and act quickly – but how do you ensure you’re making the best decision each time? The National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals’ Code of Ethics helps us do just that.
The NADSP Code of Ethics demonstrates the high level of commitment workers must make to those they support, in order to make a real difference in their lives. The code reflects key values such as allegiance to the well-being and self-determination of another; respect; dignity; integrity, justice and equity. Only talented, committed professionals like direct care workers are able to make such commitments. Continue reading »
Posted by Aaron Pickering on June 7th, 2010 at 12:25 pm | 2 Comments »
By Lucy Fisher, RN, PhD
After several years as a supervisor in a large California nursing home, I decided to return to graduate school for a PhD in nursing. I knew my dissertation would center on CNAs, for although aides have the least power and authority within the nursing hierarchy, they are the staff making a difference in residents’ lives. I did my field work in three homes: a large county-owned institution, one that was part of a national chain, and a small, Christian-affiliated home. One was located in the center of a large city, another in a suburb, and the third in a wealthy town. Although these homes differed in size, location and ownership, the great majority (89%) of research participants were immigrants. Most, but not all, were women, and most, but not all, came from the Philippines.
The immigrant experience, as Lolita Lledo wrote on April 26, is “rarely discussed.” I’d like to invite discussion about three issues that foreign-born workers in my study spoke about. These topics are separation from family, racism and legal status, and change in job status. Continue reading »
Posted by Thais Abernethy on May 24th, 2010 at 8:57 am | No Comments »
Thais Abernethy
I’m fascinated by our body’s reaction when it’s sick or emotional. It’s such a wonderful machine that serves us well if we would only stop long enough to listen. Sometimes, we just don’t give ourselves permission and time to process our day’s events. In Papi’s case, his body would let us know sometimes days before a major event happened to him. Larry (our wonderful caregiver and Papi’s companion) and myself could get prepared and look for those signs that let us know something was not right. Between Larry, hospice and myself, we made my Papi as comfortable as possible. I enjoyed this unconditional service to him. It brought me joy – it brought me peace – it brought me closer to him and closer to Larry.
Larry Myers was my papi’s caregiver, companion and friend. They were together for over 3 years and I could not have survived this journey without him. Larry was one of my pillars of strength and anchor in a time of turmoil and uncertainty. He’s very knowledgeable in the art of giving and therefore my example of what a caregiver should be. I so honor and respect him as a human being, as a friend and as a professional caregiver. I learned a lot from him. I so hope and desire for him to find another family that will respect him and honor him as well. Read the rest of my post.
Posted by Aaron Pickering on May 3rd, 2010 at 5:14 pm | No Comments »
This post was submitted by an anonymous direct care worker.
After completing STNA training, I was sure of a few things I would not put up with on a job: lack of human concern, a rushed working environment, and the smell from bodily fluids inadequately cleaned. A friend of mine suggested home health care since it would allow me to avoid those things, be more focused and take care of people in their own homes. Well, here I am.
Currently, I provide care for a man who requires 24-hour assistance. At first when I visited him in the morning, I would often find him laying in a large puddle of urine. Of course, I would clean him, change the bedding and wash the laundry – but since I am not the kind to keep quiet for long, I soon began suggesting improvements for my consumer’s way of life by working with his other caregivers.
Now, he gets up 2 to 4 times a night to use the bathroom and has not had a pad on his bed for 2 weeks. Without working with the other caregivers and speaking out on his behalf, who knows how long he would have continued suffering? To me, direct care is all about quality of service, but it was frustrating trying to provide the best quality care when I was working anywhere from 50 to 80 hours a week, raising a family and running another business. Not only did I discover that I wasn’t getting paid overtime, but I also wasn’t receiving the extra dollar-per-hour reimbursement for travel I was promised.
I knew I had to put myself first, for sanity’s sake and in order to provide the best quality care. I’ve reduced my hours to about 36 per week, although that can change if the other caregivers are unable to work their shifts. Long hours mean that I don’t have extra time to spend with my son, who is on short leave from Kuwait. I’ve quit jobs for less that interfere with my son, but in this economy I’m doing my best to make it work. My advice: one day at a time. And don’t forget to put yourself first, and speak up if you are not being treated fairly.
Posted by Bridget Siljander on March 5th, 2010 at 10:31 am | 3 Comments »
Bridget Siljander
It is a critical time to become a leader…
We’re starting to coagulate as a direct care worker movement, and it’s more important than ever that we unite to get things done. This is an exciting time, but it calls for more strategic thinking.
Over the past year or two, I’ve been in many situations when direct care workers were connecting with each other. This can be incredibly inspiring. Many of us are compassionate people who are drawn to this kind of service work because we want to put our hearts into nurturing and supporting others. At direct care worker gatherings, I have watched us uplift, encourage and comfort one another, creating a spirit of loyalty and kindness and mutual respect. This is when we’re at our finest. But like anything, there are two sides. There are times when we’re at our best, and times when we’re at our worst. And because we’re at such a critical point in time, I wanted to offer some reflection and advice on focusing on our best selves. Continue reading »
Posted by Bob Stevens on February 10th, 2010 at 6:26 pm | 7 Comments »
Bob Stevens
In my seven years as a direct care worker, my profession has brought fulfillment and satisfaction to my life.
These are my rewards:
- Purpose. Helping people in need is a great reason for getting out of bed each day.
- Opportunity. Being in a position to make a difference by working and advocating for improved care is a privilege.
- Gratitude. I am showered with thanks and appreciation from the people I support, their families and friends, and my employer.
- Respect. I get treated with utmost esteem and courtesy for what I do by the people I support, their family and friends, my employer, my co-workers, healthcare professionals, my community and my family and friends. No office politics here!
- Knowledge. I constantly learn new things from the people I support and their environment.
- Training. My employers always make training opportunities available; some required, some not. I take advantage of every offering possible, as well as self-instruction online.
- Job Security. Since direct care work is among the fastest growing occupations and since there is such a shortage of workers, good direct care workers enjoy job security.
- Flexibility. I can work as many or as few hours as I want, when I want.
- Fair Wages. I receive fair compensation, consistent with that received by other direct care workers and health care industry professionals.
How could I reasonably ask for more?
See my next blog post for the answer – or tell me what you think by commenting below.
Bob Stevens
Direct Support Professional/Senior Caregiver
Graduate, 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program
Posted by Elise Nakhnikian on January 31st, 2010 at 10:35 pm | 1 Comment »
As part of its annual Best Nursing Homes issue this month, U.S. News and World Report includes a feature on how culture change can transform a nursing home into a good place to live by respecting residents and fitting care plans and schedules to their individual needs – and by empowering caregivers and nurturing their relationships with the residents.
The feature begins with an anecdote about a man who loves to visit his mother at the home, Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, because of “the easy warmth of the nurses and aides,” who he says are like “kid sisters” or his own daughters.” Continue reading »
Posted by Lindsay Short on December 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pm | No Comments »
Lindsay Short
I am honored to have been elected president of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota as of next year.
Being a part of DSPAM over the last two years has been an eye-opening, life-changing experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing people on the DSPAM board of directors, and I’ve watched DSPAM turn into an amazing organization, overcoming many milestones and accomplishing many of its goals.
Continue reading »
Posted by Elise Nakhnikian on November 25th, 2009 at 4:49 am | 1 Comment »
(L to R) Connie, Alex and me on our panel
The New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition’s 2009 summit was our first conference – we just started our coalition this year – so we were a little nervous going into it. But by the end of the day on November 6, we all felt great.
About 125 people from all across the state got a lot out of the summit. We packed the day with educational sessions, running three at a time in four time slots, and we had some great speakers.
Our educational sessions ranged from self-advocacy to job-related skills to what caregivers need to know about technology. Topics included Affordable Health Insurance for Direct Caregivers, Dementia vs. Hearing Loss – How to Recognize when Hearing Loss is Causing the Misunderstanding, Caring for Yourself First, Family Caregivers as Advocates, and Advocating your Cause: Caregiver Advocacy 101.
I was on one of the panels, along with my fellow 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program graduates Connie Kreider and Alex Brandt. I talked about why we direct care workers need respect and recognition. Connie told people about the DCA, and Alex talked about our generally low wages and why they need to improve. The people who came to hear us asked a lot of good questions. Continue reading »
