People in care professions: Chronically ill patients suffering from fatigue
Helping, supporting and accompanying the elderly is an important task. Work that gives meaning. A profession with a purpose. On the other hand: Nursing and care is hard work. But this work is indispensable, above all in the health sector. And we will all one day be old. This makes the nursing profession future-proof. And, for many, it is still a fulfilling calling in life. But the figures speak a different language and do not suggest high levels of job satisfaction. Fewer and fewer people, mostly women, are willing to do these jobs. 90% of all care workers worldwide are female and, for the most part, work full-time. But only few stay in the job for long. And even where levels of motivation are high: Many women who work in the care sector – be it in hospitals, care homes or in domiciliary care – throw in the towel because they cannot or are no longer willing to continue working under the prevailing conditions – either mentally or physically.
Just to provide a feeling for the scale of the problem: In an industrial economy such as Germany, employers are on average still seeking replacement 183 days after workers hand in their resignations. This is a clear sign of a lack of qualified staff. The average age of care workers in Germany is 50, and the situation is similar in other western countries such as Sweden and Canada. The image enjoyed by care professions in Sweden is better than in Germany because almost all care workers there have university training. Nevertheless, this has not put an end to the problem with a lack of new recruits and an influx of young talent.
Recently, the World Health Organization sounded the alarm. In their report published in 2020, the WHO claimed that the shortfall of care workers worldwide amounted to around 5.9 m. Already, millions of lateral recruits provide support in the branch. In order to avoid a care crisis, each country would have to increase the number of care workers completing their training each year by 8% on average. But how can that be achieved?
Create time and quality for care
According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), problems in the care sector are similar the world over: Firstly, there are too many activities which have little to do with providing care which must also be seen to. Secondly, the huge potential of care workers is underestimated, and, thirdly, pay levels in this sector are lower than in comparable professions. So the writing is on the wall. And has been for a long time.
Ask employees of mobile nursing services about their everyday problems and demands and everything becomes clear: Time is at a premium and those in the profession are bogged down by too much bureaucracy. From filling syringes with insulin to helping out with the midday meal – everything has to be done at the double. What suffers are social contacts and quality time with residents. Consequently, preventative measures aimed at maintaining or even improving the health of the elderly fall by the wayside. Let's not forget: Geriatric care training is about holistic care, catering for individual needs. But precisely that is often neglected in everyday working life. Solutions which free up time for care and improve the motivation of staff are called for: from digitalisation of care documentation to new, more flexible working time models and the targeted use of voluntary helpers. Anything that frees up time helps increase job satisfaction and the loyalty of employees to their company.
Greater appreciation for care work
And what about the potential of care workers? There are countries where staff members carry greater responsibility. Whilst, in Germany, doctors delegate tasks to care workers, the principle of individual responsibility applies in countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden. Carers have greater latitude when it comes to taking decisions, allowing them to come up with their own solutions as to how best to treat persons in their care. This creates job satisfaction and boosts recognition. And opens up the opportunity for self-organisation. This, in turn, upgrades jobs and makes them more attractive. The academisation of this vocational field can also make a contribution, whilst at the same time ensuring higher levels of qualification. This, paired with fair wages, creates esteem. Which takes us back to what we said at the outset: Jobs in care must give meaning. And it should be in the interest of all to start changing tomorrow's world of care right now. After all, none of us is getting any younger. Persons born in 2020 have an average life expectancy of 81 years. And who doesn't wish to be well cared for in the last phase of life? And stay fit and healthy for as long as possible?
This article is part of our customer magazine "PROconcept". Feel free to download the digital version of the magazine.
