Home Care Association of America and Global Coalition on Aging Demonstrate the Critical Role Home Care Plays for Seniors, Their Families, the Health Care System and the Nation’s Economy As America’s Aging Population Continues to Grow

WASHINGTON, DC (June 15, 2016) – Today the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) released a groundbreaking report, titled Caring for America’s Seniors: The Value of Home Care, proving the growing and critical role of professional home care in the United States in response to the millions of aging Americans who will need care. The report shines a spotlight on home care as a valuable and vital part of the solution to the challenges that accompany population aging.

“Home care enables people to remain in their homes for as long as possible, exactly where they want to be,” said Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers and HCAOA President. “The Value of Home Care report highlights the critical, yet often underappreciated services we provide, as well as our industry’s contributions to reducing the burden of care on family members, many of whom live great distances from their loved ones.”

By 2030, the 65 and over population will represent 20 percent of the total population, up from 13 percent in 2010. By 2050, this age cohort will reach 84 million and the 85 and over population will reach 19 million. This demographic revolution brings new challenges, including the prospect of finding care for the tens of millions of Americans who will need a full spectrum of assistance options during their extended lives. In fact, nearly 70 percent of all Americans 65 and older will need assistance at some point in their lives, and the ratio of potential family caregivers to those over 80 will steeply decline from 7:1 today to 4:1 by 2030.

Home care, including services such as companionship, help in and around the home, assistance with the activities of daily living, care coordination and transitional care, has become a valuable resource in bridging the gap between hospital stays, nursing home care and informal care provided by family members and loved ones. As nine out of 10 Americans 65 and older want to stay at home for as long as possible and 80 percent believe that their home is where they will always live, home care services promote independence for seniors and peace of mind and wellness for family caregivers.

“As Americans live longer, they need more options for how care is provided, and home care ensures older Americans have a choice for how and where they receive care,” said Michael W. Hodin, CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging. “Further, through assisting seniors through cognitive stimulation, medication adherence and prevention of falls, home care relieves burdens on family caregivers and contributes to a sustainable health care system by focusing on keeping individuals healthy. GCOA is proud to partner with HCAOA, the leading organization representing the highest-quality home care available, on this seminal report.”

The data from the report shows that elderly Americans receiving home care generally need fewer trips to the doctor and are admitted to hospitals at a lower rate. As a result, home care reduces overall health care costs while creating jobs in a growing sector. In 2008 alone, the United States saved $25 billion in hospital costs due to the growth of home care services over the previous decade.

“This report helps clarify common misconceptions about home care and clearly defines our growing industry,” said Phil Bongiorno, Executive Director of HCAOA. “Home care is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., and institutions of public policy and health care systems should recognize the integral part home care plays in the continuum of care and its contribution to our economy.”

To view the report, click here.

To view the infographic, click here.

About the Home Care Association of America

Founded in 2002, the Home Care Association of America is the industry’s leading trade association for providers of home care, which encompasses a broad range of services that supports seniors’ wellbeing and enables them to age in place. HCAOA protects the interests of seniors by setting the standard for high-quality care; represents the industry’s unified voice in Washington, DC and state governments across the country; and connects the industry’s members through its education and awareness efforts. Today, HCAOA represents more than 2,500 member companies that employ more than 500,000 caregivers across the United States.