PHI Chief Operating Officer Angelina Drake appeared on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on Aug. 7 to discuss direct care workers and the training they receive.
Direct care worker training
Direct Care workers are those, who typically provide day-to-day care for the elderly, disabled or ill. They are typically nursing assistants or aides, home health aides or personal care aides.
Drake discussed the importance of direct care workers and how their service is often overlooked. Even though these workers complete a great deal of training, their work is still underestimated by many.
Although their training is extensive, Drake said it is outdated and fragmented. With a deregulated training program, there is a lack of consistency for direct care workers. Unfortunately, their work is complex and the training programs need drastic improvement.
Compassionate care worker training
Drake also touched on compassionate care workers, who typically deal with hospice and terminally ill patients. Due to the nature of the work, she said these workers need to be trained to handle any situation to assist patients and those around the patients.
Drake concluded by saying the solution might be government intervention. Added training regulations can ensure workers are more knowledgeable and patients are receiving care.