Increased demand for in-home aged care impeded by a lack of HRM supports for in-home care workers: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the scoping review is to develop understandings around the high demand for in-home healthcare for the aged and how to find ways to better support declining numbers of in-home care workers and healthcare professionals. The scoping review highlights the role of human resource management (HRM) in this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This scoping review of literature takes a systematic approach to identify themes on the aged care sector and levels of support for in-home care. We map the literature from specific databases to find themes.

Findings

It is important for HRM of aged care service providers to understand the key issues around homecare workers and healthcare professionals. There are key issues for stakeholders, such as clients’ health needs, organizations struggling to recruit and retain healthcare workers, and it is critical to know how such issues impact on clients and the healthcare workforce.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature on in-home care for the aged, and therefore, we contribute to understandings about the competing pressures surrounding the demand for in-home care versus the declining number of homecare workers and professional healthcare workers in this sector. We highlight the lack of HRM support from aged care providers and the impact on homecare workers.

Citation

Cavanagh, J., Meacham, H., Pariona-Cabrera, P. and Bartram, T. (2024), "Increased demand for in-home aged care impeded by a lack of HRM supports for in-home care workers: a scoping review", Personnel Review, Vol. 53 No. 9, pp. 2293-2309. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-08-2023-0642