Kruger Katherine, Kuhnmuench Christina, Ikari Ryoko, Gates Karen, Bell Sue Anne
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Institute of Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
J Appl Gerontol. 2025 May;44(5):838-845. doi: 10.1177/07334648241288659. Epub 2024 Oct 7.
The home care workforce provides supportive healthcare services to older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for knowledge that can better support this high-risk and understudied group of essential workers. The study aimed to understand decision-making about safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study design used a descriptive qualitative study approach, and 34 participants completed individual video or phone interviews. The results were organized into three themes specific to decision-making around safety and well-being for home care workers (HCWs) during the pandemic: 1) Responsibility, commitment, and dedication to their clients led HCWs to continue to provide essential services, 2) Safety concerns did not prevent HCWs from reporting to work, and 3) HCWs expressed more concern about clients than their own safety. Understanding the experiences of HCWs can offer important insights for developing strategies and policies to address the safety of these essential yet often overlooked healthcare professionals.
