Affiliations: Department of Family Studies and Gerontology and Nova
Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada | Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Maritime Data Centre for Aging Research and Policy
Analysis, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Department of Sociology, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada | Département de démographie, Université de
Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Janice M. Keefe, Mount Saint Vincent
University, 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 2J6, Canada. Tel.: +1
902 457 6466; Fax: +1 902 457 6226; E-mail: Janice.keefe@msvu.ca
Abstract: Objective: This paper is a synthesis of research on recruitment and
retention challenges for home support workers (HSWs) in Canada. Participants: Home support workers (HSWs) provide needed support with personal
care and daily activities to older persons living in the community. Methods: Literature (peer reviewed, government, and non-government documents)
published in the past decade was collected from systematic data base searches
between January and September 2009, and yielded over 100 references relevant to
home care human resources for older Canadians. Results: Four key human
resource issues affecting HSWs were identified: compensation, education and
training, quality assurance, and working conditions. To increase the workforce
and retain skilled employees, employers can tailor their marketing strategies
to specific groups, make improvements in work environment, and learn about what
workers value and what attracts them to home support work. Conclusions: Understanding these HR issues for HSWs will improve recruitment and retention
strategies for this workforce by helping agencies to target their limited
resources. Given the projected increase in demand for these workers,
preparations need to begin now and consider long-term strategies involving
multiple policy areas, such as health and social care, employment, education,
and immigration.
Keywords: Home care, recruitment and retention, compensation, working conditions
