HHAeXchange surveyed nearly 4,000 caregivers across the company’s homecare agency clients. The survey was designed to understand the motivations of today’s caregivers and find ways to enhance caregiver satisfaction to ultimately improve health outcomes. Explore the highlights below!
Knowing it could improve their clients’ care (57%) was the #1 motivator for caregivers to spend an extra 3-5 minutes after each visit recording patient observations – for a second year in a row. Followed by personal satisfaction (15%) and better job security (11.4%).
Respondents said making a positive impact on their clients’ health and well-being is still their biggest motivator (60%). This is followed by flexible schedule (30%) and pay and benefits packages (5.7%).
Ways to reduce stress was the most common type of training caregivers would be interested in receiving (24%). Followed by understanding how to treat patients with specific illnesses (i.e., Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, etc.) (18%) and how to use additional equipment (i.e., medical and lift equipment, patient monitoring devices, etc.) (14%).
Pay was the most challenging aspect of being a caregiver (34%), followed by feelings of stress and exhaustion (14%), and risk of catching infectious diseases (i.e., COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, flu, etc.) (12%) and technology that is hard to use (8.4%).
Higher pay was listed as the best tool or benefit to make the job of a caregiver easier (42%). This is followed by rewards programs (25%), flexible hours (13%), and better tools and technology (13%).
The Homecare Insights survey paints a powerful picture of what truly matters to caregivers—their sense of purpose and connection with their clients. Providers should take this to heart because understanding the motivations and desires of their caregivers is critical to the success of their business. Without caregivers, there is no homecare. By addressing challenges like pay, stress, and making technology easier to use, you’re not just improving caregiver satisfaction—you’re creating an environment where caregivers feel valued and empowered to make a difference. When caregivers feel supported, they can focus on what drives them: improving the health and well-being of their clients.