Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
for Long-Term Services and Supports
Suggested Approaches From a National Panel of Experts
In addition to joint training programs for DCWs and family caregivers, another suggestion from panelists was to develop and test training models in which DCWs are prepared to educate and train family caregivers. For example, new training programs for DCWs could enable them to educate family caregivers about safe and effective care techniques (e.g., lifting, transferring) and other core competencies. Conversely, family caregivers were seen as having a role in training DCWs because family members can provide workers with insight into the values, preferences, and unique interests of those receiving care, thereby helping to foster person-centered care. Thus, creating synergy in the training of DCWs and family caregivers was seen as an effective way to improve training outcomes for both.
Approaches to Improve the Readiness of Both DCWs and Family Caregivers
5.1 Support demonstration-evaluation programs that build on core competencies to train family caregivers and DCWs jointly in order to promote shared understanding of their roles and new training programs for DCWs that enable them to educate family caregivers about safe and effective care techniques (e.g., lifting, transferring), possibly in collaboration with the Department of Labor.
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