From TheMiami Herlad article titled "The Need for In-Home Care Rises as Baby Boomers Age"

“We have agencies telling us, ‘We need this kind of worker, we need that kind,’” says Julie Northcutt, Caregiverlist.com founder and CEO. “Even in this economy, we’ve had a huge demand. Agencies are growing as fast as they can.”

Finding and training workers for these jobs will become increasingly important as the baby boomer generation, 78 million strong, ages. Various studies also have found that at-home care is actually more effective — and less expensive — than similar care in a nursing home or hospital.


From U.S. News & World Report titled "How to Become a Savv Nursing-Home Shopper"

Many so-called "private-pay" facilities do not accept Medicaid patients, for example, but are included in the Caregiverlist ratings. Not every home responds to its outreach efforts, she notes. "The ones that we don't have the costs from [is because] it's mostly that they're 100-percent Medicaid."

Another feature of her site that is relevant in the real world, Northcutt says, is that it identifies homes where access may be restricted—to people with certain acute needs, for example, or for veterans, or for patients of a specific hospital that runs the facility. And Caregiver list may also include retirement communities with nursing facilities, where access to nursing services may be limited to community residents.

In terms of key quality measures, "the staffing ratio is a real, real issue in the industry," she advises, "and it's going to affect the quality of care for your loved one."


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Springtime Activity: Make a Special Table Setting

April 13, 2025 Danielle

For Springtime brings the opportunity to celebrate growth with the flowers sprouting out of the ground and holidays for rebirth, such as Easter, along with celebrations for the Spring Equinox and Passover. As always, these celebrations involve sitting down for a nice meal which provides the opportunity to create a special table setting with your client as a fun activity you and your senior care clients may do together. You'll see how a special table will bring a smile to everyone's face.

Involve Your Care Client

Start by letting your clients or loved ones help with small tasks. Give them choices so they feel included:

  • Ask what color napkins or plates they like
  • Let them help pick a centerpiece (flowers, Easter eggs, or something simple from around the house)
  • Invite them to fold napkins: look up different ways to fold the napkins to be creative
  • Write place-setting cards and research different ideas for place cards

These small jobs can feel meaningful. They give a sense of control and pride, and help build connection.

Set the Table for Comfort

  • Make sure they have everything they need: glasses, dentures, hearing aids
  • Place the plate where they can see it best (on their stronger side). For clients with dementia, research says 35% of seniors will eat more food when their meal is served on a blue plate.
  • Put utensils and drinks on the side they use most (right-handed or left-handed)
  • Cut food into small pieces ahead of time if needed
  • Open any lids or containers so they don’t struggle during the meal
  • Use straws or cups with lids if it makes drinking easier

If eating with a spoon is hard, you can even serve soup in a cup they can sip.

Reduce Distractions

Turn off the TV or radio. Too much noise can make eating harder, especially for someone with dementia. During the meal, keep talking simple and gentle. If conversation seems to confuse or distract them, it’s okay to eat in silence and talk more after.

Help with Good Posture

  • Sit them upright with back supported
  • Use pillows if needed to help them sit straight
  • Keep their head slightly forward, not tilted back (this helps prevent choking)
  • Stay beside them, not behind—so you can make eye contact and help if needed

After the meal, help them stay seated for a while to help with digestion.

Make Meals Fun and Positive

  • Play soft music before or after the meal
  • Share stories about past holidays or favorite foods
  • Give praise: “You did a great job helping,” or “I love how you folded the napkins.”

If they like dessert, bring it out after the meal as something to look forward to. You can also plan a “theme” meal now and then, like breakfast for dinner, or a meal based on a favorite holiday memory.

Keep the Routine

After the meal, tidy up together if they are able. Drying dishes or wiping the table can help them stay involved and feel useful. Use safe, lightweight plates like melamine so there’s no worry if something drops.

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Stress Relief Photo of the Week

Facing the Sunshine for Stress Relief

April 14, 2025 Barbara Calabrese

We start the week with the reminder to look towards the sunshine, and keep a positive outlook despite challenges that come our way. We invite you to take a moment to relax and enjoy our stress relief photo and inspirational quote and share them with loved ones. This week’s photo was taken at the beach along the Caribbean coast in Mexico. Thank you caregivers for the care you provide for our seniors. Consider starting a new career and learn more about becoming a senior caregiver. We hope you have a great week ahead.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you."
-Walt Whitman

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Caregiver Pay Rates for 2013 Above Minimum Wage

9. May 2014 Shanice Kelly Background Checks, Caregiver Jobs, Caregiver Training

Senior caregivers assist seniors as companion caregivers and nursing aides working in nursing homes, assisted living communities and senior home care agencies. Hospitals also hire certified nursing aides. The pay rate for companion caregivers and nursing aides for 2013 has continued to rise and remains above minimum wage for all professional senior caregivers.

The Caregiverlist® pay survey results records the pay rates of 34,959 professional senior caregivers. Senior caregivers who work for a senior home care agency provide one-on-one caregiving services while nursing aides working for nursing homes and hospitals usually care for anywhere from 10 to 15 residents or patients. C.N.A. staffing ratios of nursing homes are reported in the health inspection reports conducted every 15 months and can be found in the Caregiverlist® Nursing Home Directory. More senior caregivers are needed and anyone with a caring personality may apply to a senior care job in their area on the Caregiverlist® Career Center.




The number of senior home care agencies continues toincrease along with the need for qualified caregivers

Senior care companies hire from 3 to 6 professional caregivers each week, to keep up with the demand for part-time and full-time senior caregiving services. Most American seniors do not plan ahead for senior care and because of this, when a senior experiences a sudden medical condition such as a stroke, heart attack or the early stages of memory loss, they will then immediately need professional senior caregiving services.

In order to keep up with the demand for senior care, the number of senior home care agencies has increased by 40% since 2008. More than 20 franchise companies provide senior home care in addition to national corporations. More professional senior caregivers are needed to fill these open positions which increase daily.

The ​Caregiverlist® Career Center assists anyone with a caring personality to learn how to become a senior caregiver and submit a job application which reaches multiple hiring companies in their area who subscribe to “the ​Caregiverlist®”. As the only resource with an ongoing database of experienced, professional senior caregivers, ​Caregiverlist® allows companies to efficiently hire the most qualified caregivers in their area.​ Caregivers may learn about required senior caregiver training and take an online course to learn the necessary caregiving skills and meet state requirements.