“Friend-ish”: Home Care Workers, “Social Labor” and Managing the Boundaries of the Carer Relationship

Lam, Jack; Baxter, Janeen

doi:10.1177/07334648221144026

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

(18 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar to a recent study by Lam and Baxter, 42 we found that HHAs create and maintain boundaries between their professional and personal relationships. A key strategy was compartmentalizing, since participants found that it prevented their emotions from compromising patient care.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

Yanez Hernandez,

Kuo,

Henriquez Taveras

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ImportanceHome health aides and attendants (HHAs) provide essential care to older adults and those with chronic conditions in the home. However, some HHAs struggle with poor mood and stress, which may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveTo elicit HHAs’ perspectives toward mental health and well-being, including how their job influences both and how to better support the workforce in the future.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsFor this qualitative study, focus groups and interviews with HHAs were facilitated in English and Spanish from August 17, 2022, to February 9, 2023, in partnership with the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund, a benefit fund of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the largest health care union in the US. Included were HHAs at risk for poor mental health and well-being, which were defined as having at least mild or more symptoms on either the 8-item Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale, the 4-item Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, or the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale.ExposureMental health and well-being of HHAs.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFocus groups and interviews were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and translated. A thematic analysis was performed that was informed by Pender’s Health Promotion Model and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Total Worker Health model.ResultsA total of 28 HHAs from 14 different agencies participated (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [10.8] years; 26 female [93%]). Seventeen participants (61%) spoke Spanish at home. Five key themes emerged: (1) HHAs’ attitudes toward mental health and well-being were influenced by a variety of personal and cultural factors; (2) HHAs’ relationships with their patients impacted their mood in both positive and negative ways; (3) structural and organizational aspects of the job, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted HHAs’ mood and stress levels; (4) HHAs used a variety of strategies to cope with their emotions; and (5) HHAs were eager for interventions that can improve their mood, particularly those that bring them closer to their colleagues.Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings suggest that HHAs’ mental health and well-being may be influenced by both personal and occupational factors. Interventions and policies to better support their emotional well-being on the job are warranted.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

Yanez Hernandez,

Kuo,

Henriquez Taveras

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Increased demand for in-home aged care impeded by a lack of HRM supports for in-home care workers: a scoping review

Cavanagh,

Meacham,

Pariona-Cabrera

et al. 2024

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThe purpose of the scoping review is to develop understandings around the high demand for in-home healthcare for the aged and how to find ways to better support declining numbers of in-home care workers and healthcare professionals. The scoping review highlights the role of human resource management (HRM) in this sector.Design/methodology/approachThis scoping review of literature takes a systematic approach to identify themes on the aged care sector and levels of support for in-home care. We map the literature from specific databases to find themes.FindingsIt is important for HRM of aged care service providers to understand the key issues around homecare workers and healthcare professionals. There are key issues for stakeholders, such as clients’ health needs, organizations struggling to recruit and retain healthcare workers, and it is critical to know how such issues impact on clients and the healthcare workforce.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of literature on in-home care for the aged, and therefore, we contribute to understandings about the competing pressures surrounding the demand for in-home care versus the declining number of homecare workers and professional healthcare workers in this sector. We highlight the lack of HRM support from aged care providers and the impact on homecare workers.

show abstract

How High-Performing Personal Support Workers Set and Maintain Boundaries When Providing Care: A Case Study in Ontario, Canada

Kalles,

King,

Holyoke

2024

J Appl Gerontol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Personal support workers (PSWs) provide a large proportion of in-home care services for Canadians. PSWs must negotiate with clients and their family on how prescribed care is delivered. How PSWs set and maintain professional and personal boundaries during care is poorly understood, and failure to manage boundaries can expose both PSWs and clients to risk. High-performing PSWs ( n = 9) and supervisors ( n = 4) within an Ontario, Canada, home care agency were engaged in workshops ( n = 3) to identify field-tested strategies and tactics for identifying, managing, and supporting PSW boundaries. A boundary-management framework was generated, including types of boundary challenges; decision-making principles (e.g., consider the purpose of home care); response strategies (e.g., work with the client on an alternative solution); and tactics for action (e.g., use proactive reminders). Supervisory and organizational supports (e.g., enabling “shop-talk”) were identified. The framework can inform teaching and practice materials for PSWs in Canada and other countries.

show abstract

“Friend-ish”: Home Care Workers, “Social Labor” and Managing the Boundaries of the Carer Relationship

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

Increased demand for in-home aged care impeded by a lack of HRM supports for in-home care workers: a scoping review

How High-Performing Personal Support Workers Set and Maintain Boundaries When Providing Care: A Case Study in Ontario, Canada

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About