Home Health Growth Raises Concerns

California's home healthcare sector is growing rapidly due to an aging population, but the lack of safeguards in the sector is an issue for concern, according to a new UCLA study. 

The number of Californians over the age of 85 is expected to triple by 2050, driving huge demand for home health and personal aides. Indeed, the number of companies providing such services has nearly doubled since 1998. But unlike California's In-Home Supportive Services program, that provide niche is not closely regulated.

“We have little to no information on the quality of care provided by many people who are taking care of some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Nadereh Pourat, director of research for the UCLA Center on Health Policy Research and the study's authors. 

Pourat noted that the huge demand for home healthcare aides, coupled with tight incomes, may lead to elderly Californians and their families hiring less than ideal home healthcare employees.

Your grandmother might hire someone through an ad without any idea about their possible criminal background,” Pourat said. “Safeguards such as background checks could help prevent that.”

Along with urging checks of home healthcare employees, the UCLA study also urged licensure of all home healthcare workers.

“Regulations within the private home care industry might help establish standards for caregiving that can ensure patient safety and quality of care,” Pourat said.