Care Giver Shortage: Coming To Your Town

Look out. Here it comes. Demand exceeding supply. Read all about it at “A Shortage of Caregivers”.  Why, you ask?  Well…, they’re 1) low-paid, 2) demanding  jobs, 3) high rates of injury and 4) frequently, no benefits.

So…, I guess high demand and low supply will drive up wages solving the low pay issue. Think again. Medicaid and Medicare pay 75% of the costs now. And, as most know, are in the process of contraction versus expansion.

Well, what about immigrants? As it is, a great deal of the current workforce are new immigrants. Thanks to the national opposition to more immigration (to avoid those “outsiders” stealing  jobs from Americans) that doesn’t look to be a solution.

This writer thinks there are opportunities in technology. A certain portion of the situations that employ home attendants could be met by systems of home based sensors that could detect problems and  warn those who are responsible. These systems use algorithms to recognize the person’s normal level of activities versus concerning variations (ie; toilet flushing, refrigerator door openings, etc…). Of course, not perfect for all needs but likely good enough to significantly reduce some of the need currently met by live aides. Also appealing to those not ready or willing to have a stranger in their house.