Home Care Staffing Shortage: Impact on Older Adult Independence

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

Committee Chair

Karen Lankisch

Committee Member

Cynthia Smoak

Committee Member

Tonia Young-Babb

Abstract

This study was conducted to address the impact of the home care staffing shortage on older adult independence. The lack of formal caregivers has been well-documented in the literature, which, when coupled with the number of older adults who need care or will need care in the future, makes research such as this study significant. This study gathered relevant information from a sample of older adults receiving home care services that allowed for perspectives to be documented on perceptions of independence and dependence; independence enhancers; independence barriers; and knowledge, experiences, and impressions of home care services present and future. The study involved semistructured interviews with older adults receiving home care services at their residences. This method allowed for the collection of information from the study participants through a recorded interview and the environment, allowing for the documentation of any independence enhancer or barrier to be identified. Transcripts were created, allowing for coding and resulting in themes and patterns. Findings indicated older adults realized what enhanced and created barriers to independence. The home care staffing shortage impacted older adults’ independence. Still, despite the impact, older adults experienced self-actualization with episodes of states of autonomy and adaptability to circumstance.

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