MEN IN THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE: WHERE THE BOYS ARE. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, C; Deichert, J; Holley, L
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: This study describes the growing presence of males in the direct care workforce and discusses differences between male and female direct care workers (DCWs), using data from the 2000 and 2016 American Community Surveys (ACS). Data were from the 1% Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) of the 2000 and 2016 ACS. Logistic regression was used to compare demographic and employment characteristics of male and female DCWs. Between 2000 and 2016, the total number of male DCWs in the U.S. increased 107%. The number of male nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (who provide medical services) increased 31% while the number of personal and home care aides (who provide nonmedical services) increased 492%. Male DCWs providing medical services were most likely to be employed by hospitals, while the most common employers of DCWs providing nonmedical services were individual and family services. Overall, male DCWs were less likely than females to be medical service providers, Hispanic, widowed, divorced, foreign-born, living in poverty and to be on Medicaid. Male DCWs were more likely to be racially "other", never married, non-English speaking, year-round employees, have higher educational attainment, be recently married, have moved recently, be on Medicare and have a disability. Between 2000 and 2016, data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that males are a small but increasing share of the direct care workforce. The changing characteristics of the direct care workforce are particularly relevant, given population aging and related industry staffing challenges.