The Gerontologist
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Benjamin, A. E.
Right arrow Articles by Matthias, R. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Benjamin, A. E.
Right arrow Articles by Matthias, R. E.
The Gerontologist 44:479-488 (2004)
© 2004 The Gerontological Society of America

Work-Life Differences and Outcomes for Agency and Consumer-Directed Home-Care Workers

A. E. Benjamin, PhD1, and Ruth E. Matthias, PhD2

Correspondence: Address correspondence to A. E. (Ted) Benjamin, Department of Social Welfare, School of Public Policy and Social Research, University of California–Los Angeles, 3250 Public Policy Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656. E-mail: tedbenj{at}ucla.edu

Purpose. Research on home-care outcomes has highlighted the promise of consumer-directed models that rely on recipients rather than agencies to arrange and direct services. However, there has been little research on workers employed directly by recipients. This study examined differences in work-life and worker outcomes between workers in consumer-directed versus agency care as well as between family and nonfamily workers. Design and Methods. A random sample of 618 workers in the In-Home Supportive Services program in California was selected and interviewed by telephone between September 1996 and March 1997. Interviews were conducted in English, Spanish, and three Asian languages, with a focus on worker stress and satisfaction. Results. Findings indicate a mixed portrait of worker experience and outcomes. Most model differences disappear when other variables are controlled, but some worker-stress differences persist between models and types of worker. Implications. On most dimensions of stress and satisfaction, consumer-directed workers report outcomes equal to or more positive than agency workers. Efforts to improve the work life of home-care workers should acknowledge the strengths of consumer-directed approaches and target all workers across models.

Key Words: Home care • Service model • Family caregiver • Stress • Satisfaction




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
GerontologistHome page
A. E. Benjamin, R. E. Matthias, K. Kietzman, and W. Furman
Retention of Paid Related Caregivers: Who Stays and Who Leaves Home Care Careers?
Gerontologist, July 1, 2008; 48(suppl_1): 104 - 113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Br J Soc WorkHome page
J. Leece
Paying the Piper and Calling the Tune: Power and the Direct Payment Relationship
Br. J. Soc. Work, June 17, 2008; (2008) bcn085v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journal of Disability Policy StudiesHome page
B. J. Stout, K. J. Hagglund, and M. J. Clark
The Challenge of Financing and Delivering Personal Assistant Services
Journal of Disability Policy Studies, June 1, 2008; 19(1): 44 - 51.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Med Care Res RevHome page
D. C. Grabowski
The Cost-Effectiveness of Noninstitutional Long-Term Care Services: Review and Synthesis of the Most Recent Evidence
Med Care Res Rev, February 1, 2006; 63(1): 3 - 28.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
GerontologistHome page
S. Dale, R. Brown, B. Phillips, and B. L. Carlson
How Do Hired Workers Fare Under Consumer-Directed Personal Care?
Gerontologist, October 1, 2005; 45(5): 583 - 592.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 2004 by The Gerontological Society of America.