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HHS, DOL ISSUE REPORT ON SHORTAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS, Report Highlights Need For Innovation To Meet Demand As Baby Boom Generation AgesHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and DOL Secretary Elaine Chao today released a report showing that by 2050 the nation will need three times as many long-term care workers as are employed now to meet the needs of the aging Baby Boom generation. About 5.7 million to 6.5 million long-term care workers -- comprising nurses, nurse aids and home health and personal care workers -- will be needed to meet the nation's needs in 2050, up from about 1.9 million such workers employed in 2000. The report outlines a series of actions to bolster the long-term care workforce and promote quality care and services in the future. "If we want to ensure quality long-term care for Baby Boomers, we need to act now to build the workforce and encourage creative ways to improve long-term care -- both in their own homes and communities and in long-term care institutions," Secretary Thompson said. "President Bush's New Freedom Initiative is helping to develop more and better options for long-term care, but we must build on these efforts with innovative solutions to meet this critical health care challenge." "The shortage of long-term care workers, if left unaddressed, will affect all Americans in very personal ways. As Secretary of Labor, I work with individuals who are looking for a new job or greater opportunity, " Secretary Chao said. "I want all workers to know that if they want to become a long-term care worker -- whatever their economic or educational status -- there are many resources to help them achieve their goal of caring for others. These resources are available through the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and the private sector." The report emphasizes the critical need to retain existing long-term care workers and attract new workers and to support state and local initiatives and test new models of recruitment and retention of long-term care workers. It urges continued support of many of the Bush Administration's existing efforts to address the growing demand for long-term care workers. These include:
The report also outlines steps and approaches designed to reduce the potential workforce shortage. These recommendations include:
The report is available at http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/ltcwork.pdf and http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/ltcwork.htm. ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news. Last Revised: May 20, 2003 |