Research appearing in the March/April 2024 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Professional Case Management suggests the Center for Caregiver Advancement’s high-quality caregiver training contributes to reduced emergency room visits. It also appears to reduce healthcare costs.
The study looked at caregivers who completed 16 weeks of in-person In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) training. The study compared them to a group who did not take the IHSS caregiver essentials skill-building course. Researchers tracked each group for three years. CCA developed the caregiver skill-building program with support from a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Grant, established by the Affordable Care Act.
Caregiver Training Delivers Positive Results for Consumers and Healthcare Systems
- Reduction in Hospitalizations
30% reduction in hospital readmissions for consumers who received care from trained home care workers compared to those who did not receive training. - Emergency Room Visits
There was a reported 25% decrease in emergency room visits among consumers cared for by trained caregivers. - These reductions in utilization led to an average savings of $1,500 per consumer annually.
OUR IMPACT: Skilled Caregivers Are Key
Training through CCA was associated with several other factors that impact quality of life. For consumers who receive care from trained caregivers, researchers saw:
- 20% fewer complications for consumers with chronic illness
- 35% increase in adherence to care plans
- 40% increase in consumer satisfaction
CCA believes in building a workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians can’t live without, particularly as our population ages. Researchers estimate that 20% of Californians (1 in 5) will be 65 or older by 2030. California is in a care crisis, with high demand for trained caregivers.
CCA is California’s most experienced provider of free, accessible training that focuses on a supportive, experience-based learning environment. Our impact studies advance policy initiatives to develop career pathway opportunities and build professionalization within long-term care.
The findings from this research study were published in Professional Case Management.
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