Well over 100,000 home care workers provide services to Massachusetts residents, easing the burden on hospitals and nursing homes at a critical time during the pandemic. They serve a population that is particularly vulnerable to severe illness and death from the coronavirus and workers themselves are often members of communities with high rates of COVID-19.
A recent report outlines key themes from focus group research with over 80 home health aides, personal care attendants (PCAs) and other members of the Massachusetts home care workforce. Participants described many challenges to safety and offered ideas for improvement that could add stability to this vital sector of the health care continuum well beyond the pandemic.