The dementia care workforce: Essential to care but large research gaps exist

Abstract

People living with dementia and their care partners benefit from services and supports from a wide variety of healthcare and social service professionals. This article provides an overview of the dementia care workforce and highlights gaps and opportunities for data collection and research to advance the workforce and its contributions to high-quality care. The authors provide an analysis of literature, trends, research gaps, and research opportunities, drawing from the literature and their own research. There are notable gaps in our ability to track career pathways, assess the impact of training, identify best practices for recruitment and retention, and understand attributes of the workforce that may affect the quality of both workers' lives and the care they provide to people living with dementia. There are many opportunities for new research to help direct care workers meaningfully contribute to the health and well-being of people living with dementia and their care partners. HIGHLIGHTS: The dementia care workforce works in multiple settings and includes many occupations. There are gaps in knowledge regarding the workforce and its role in high-quality care. Evaluation research is needed to improve direct care worker recruitment, retention, and knowledge. Research on caregiving teams including direct care workers, other workers, and families is needed.

Keywords: dementia care; direct care workers; healthcare workforce; home care; long‐term services and supports; nursing assistants; nursing homes.