Direct Care Worker Retention: Strategies for Success

This paper, written by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, documents the research and programs shown to increase the retention of direct care workers in long-term care.

Aging services providers and other long-term care stakeholders can use this report to learn more about the factors that lead to increased retention and about the various retention strategies and programs currently in place.

This report is organized into two main sections. Section III includes key research findings in the professional literature that show which factors lead to an increase in direct care worker retention. Section IV describes key retention strategies and programs shown to have a positive impact on direct care worker retention.

Both Sections III and IV cover the following areas:
• Competitive wages and health insurance benefits
• Culture change
• Workplace/job design, management practices and trained supervisors
• Comprehensive training
• Career advancement opportunities
• Importance of cultural competence

Section V includes additional tools and resources related to direct care worker retention.
Section VI is the list of references


http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/l_art_det.jsp?res_id=300510