Introduction
As the population continues to age, caregiving is rapidly becoming a paramount social concern. Increased life expectancy and higher rates of chronic illness among older adults have drastically amplified the demand for care. This strain is exacerbated by several converging factors: a decline in traditional family care sources (resulting from lower birth rates and an increasing number of women entering the workforce) and inadequate public policies.
These policies, particularly the “institutional bias” found in programs like Medicare and Medicaid concerning housing and reimbursement, fail to fully support non-institutional care. Finally, the role of paid caregivers is crucial, yet there are significant challenges in training and retaining them. This combined pressure—from demographic shifts, family strain, and deficient policies—creates a major obstacle to providing quality care.
The Challenge of Caregiving
The challenge of caregiving is satisfying the needs of those who require care while delivering high-quality care. The endeavor is challenging due to the complexities of the situation. According to Quadagno, Cancian, and Oliker, quality care should strive to support the personal autonomy and well-being of individuals who require attention (Fitzgerald, 3). The ‘good’ level of care should take into account the patient’s unique circumstances and their rights and dignity. Furthermore, it helps protect children from harm, such as abuse, neglect, and apathy.
‘Good’ care should be tailored to meet the individual needs of those who require it. Both Cancian and Oliker believe that to provide good care, one must first recognize and respect the individual being cared for’s choices, and then strive to achieve the best possible outcome. The level involves providing the individual with the resources and support they require to maintain as much of their independence and autonomy as is reasonably attainable under the given circumstances (Fitzgerald, 5). In the same vein, it should ensure that they have access to the proper treatment and support when needed.
Definitions and Goals for ‘Good’ Care
‘Good’ care can be defined as delivering quality care that meets the demands of patients, while respecting their right for autonomy and tailoring it to their specific circumstances. It entails supporting the personal independence and well-being of individuals who require care, respecting their rights and dignity, providing the resources and support they need to maintain their independence, and safeguarding them from harm, neglect, and abuse (Fitzgerald, 5). In addition, it should strive to provide the best answer that is practically possible while also taking into account and honoring the individual’s preferences.
Additionally, care should meet the needs of individuals who require it, and therefore, it should be both accessible and affordable. It must make an effort to be culturally competent so that it may be customized to meet the needs of people who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds (Fitzgerald, 5). Additionally, it should be as comprehensive as possible, taking into account the individual’s psychological, physiological, and emotional needs. It is essential to utilize evidence-based approaches to provide effective support to those who need it. It suggests that one’s achievement is almost sure to be attained.
Causes of Growing Care Demands
One of the causes of growing care demand is the effort to meet the needs of people from diverse backgrounds while maintaining cultural competence and sensitivity. Furthermore, demand has risen as a result of an attempt to be holistic in addressing a person’s mental, physical, and emotional needs (Quadagno, 20). The demand has increased as a result of the need to fulfill the requirements of those seeking its services. Due to these factors, there has been a growing need for care, which has contributed to its success.
Demographic Changes
The rising need for caregiving is mainly attributable to demographic shifts like the aging population and the prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly. The proportion of the population that is elderly and dependent on others is expected to rise as life expectancy grows (Quadagno, 25). The prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly also rises in tandem with the aging population. It raises the total cost of a treatment since people with chronic conditions need more assistance than the healthy do.
Longevity
The country’s longer life expectancy is mostly to blame for the growing demand for careers. A growing percentage of the population will be seniors who require assistance due to increasing life expectancy. The fundamental explanation is that chronic illnesses and other conditions requiring ongoing medical care are more likely to occur in individuals who live longer (Quadagno, 30). In addition, as the baby boomer generation matures, the population of people 65 and older is growing faster than the overall population, which raises the need for careers.
Chronic Illness
The greater prevalence of the chronic disease among the elderly is another factor driving the rise in caregiving needs. As people age, they are more likely to have chronic illnesses or functional limitations that need long-term care. The amount of care required increases due to the greater level of assistance and care needed by individuals with chronic diseases compared to those in excellent health (Quadagno, 34). Additionally, some of these chronic conditions require specialized medical attention, which may not be readily available where standard medical care is provided. The demand for services involved in providing care increases accordingly.
Pressures on Traditional Sources of Care
Pressures on traditional family sources of care are another cause of the growing demand for caregiving. It is because there are fewer individuals available to give care within families as a consequence of declining birth rates and increased rates of female labour force participation. There are thus fewer caregivers accessible right now (Quadagno, 36). In addition, as more women join the workforce, those who are competent to provide care may not be able to do so due to workplace responsibilities. A comparable rise in demand for care services offered by third-party organizations is also observed.
Lower Birth Rates
One of the significant factors contributing to a decrease in the number of people available to provide care within the family is lower birth rates. It is because fewer individuals are being born, which means fewer people may potentially provide care for those who need it (Cancian and Oliker, 4). Additionally, fewer individuals can offer care for a long time, as more people are having children. It results in a shortage of caretakers. The reason is that nowadays, the majority of mothers can go back to work soon after giving birth to their children.
Women’s Rising Labor-Force Participation
Another factor that has contributed to a reduction in the number of persons available to give care to the family is the increased engagement of women in the labour sector. Likely, individuals who are available to provide care won’t be able to do so due to their commitments at work when more women enter the workforce (Cancian and Oliker, 5). There are fewer people available to provide care for a considerable amount of time, as most parents are now ready to return to work. The trend has risen since the number of working-age women.
Inadequacy of Current Policies
The inadequacy of current policies is another factor contributing to the growing demand for caregiving. It is because Medicare and Medicaid have ‘institutional bias’ in their existing regulations, such as those involving housing arrangements and reimbursement procedures (Cancian and Oliker, 8). Furthermore, the needs of people in need of care, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases, are not adequately addressed by these standards. As a result, there will be an even higher need for institutional care services.
Housing
The inadequacy of current housing arrangements is a significant factor contributing to the growing demand for caregiving services. It is because many of the current housing arrangements, such as nursing homes, do not adequately address the needs of those who require care (Cancian and Oliker, 7). Furthermore, these housing arrangements are often expensive and may not be accessible for those who require care. It increases the demand for caregiving services from outside sources.
Reimbursement
Another factor contributing to the rising demand for caregiving is the inadequacy of current reimbursement schemes. This is a result of the fact that current payment systems, including Medicare and Medicaid, often fail to cover the expenses associated with providing care services (Quadagno, 40). Additionally, these regulations often exhibit what is known as an ‘institutional bias,’ which can make it difficult for individuals who need care to access the services they require. The need for caregiving services offered by independent third parties increases as a result.
Article Review
The contributions of paid caregivers are of great importance in meeting the demands of caregiving. In “Better Paid Caregivers, Better Care,” it is suggested that having paid caregivers can have a positive impact on the quality of care provided. Furthermore, paid caregivers may provide a more consistent and dependable source of care than conventional care provided by family members. Those in need of care can receive the education and assistance they seek from hired caregivers who can meet their needs.
“Better Paid Caregivers, Better Care” emphasizes the importance of training and support for paid caregivers in enhancing the quality of care they deliver. Based on Fitzgerald, ensuring that paid caregivers have access to the appropriate training and support will help guarantee that they can deliver the highest possible level of care to individuals in need (Fitzgerald, 5). In addition, providing training and assistance can help ensure that paid caregivers remain in their current roles, offering a more dependable and consistent source of care.
It also emphasizes the importance of providing paid caregivers with the necessary support and training. Fitzgerald claims that providing hired caregivers with the proper education and assistance can help ensure that the finest care is given to those who need it (Fitzgerald, 4). Additionally, assistance and training can make it easier for professional caregiver to stay in their employment and deliver care that is more dependable and consistent.
The reading emphasizes the importance of ensuring that paid caregivers have access to the necessary tools and support to deliver the best possible care. In addition to providing people with access to resources and support, such as health insurance and transportation, it also entails offering them the necessary training and assistance (Fitzgerald, 8). Fitzgerald contends that giving these resources and supports to paid caregivers can also help guarantee that they can continue in their roles and offer more dependable and consistent care.
In addition to providing them with essential training and support, it requires granting them access to resources and benefits, such as health insurance and transportation, while also offering them the necessary assistance and training. Fitzgerald argues that providing paid caregivers with the aforementioned tools and guidance can help ensure that they can remain in their employment and offer care that is more dependable and consistent.
Conclusion
The challenge of caregiving is to provide quality care that meets the needs of those who require it, with respect for the autonomous rights of the individual, and tailored to their individual circumstances. The growing demand for caregiving can be attributed to demographic changes, including the increasing longevity of the population and the higher incidence of chronic illnesses among the elderly.
Pressures on traditional sources of care, within the family, resulting from lower birth rates and women’s increasing labor-force participation, as well as the inadequacy of current policies, which reflect an ‘institutional bias’ in Medicare and Medicaid, are additional factors contributing to the success of home care. When it comes to meeting the requirements of care, the contributions of paid care providers and the challenges of recruiting, training, and retaining them are of critical importance.
Recommendations
To effectively address the high demands of caregiving, several key solutions and recommendations must be enacted. Primarily, policies should be implemented to provide financial and other support for paid caregivers, ensuring they can offer the highest standard of care. Furthermore, strategies are necessary to guarantee that all individuals requiring care can access the necessary services regardless of their financial status.
It is also vital to safeguard the ability of those in need of assistance to remain in their homes while receiving the support they require. Ultimately, all approaches must ensure that care services are delivered in a culturally competent manner. By collectively implementing these measures, we can guarantee that all individuals in need receive the essential, high-quality care they deserve.
References
Cancian, F. M., & Oliker, S. J. (Eds.). (2000). Caring and gender. Pine Forge Press.
Fitzgerald, J. (2001, May 21). Better Paid caregivers, Better Care. The American Prospect, 12(9).
Quadagno, J. (2021). Aging and the life course: An introduction to social gerontology (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill.