Healthcare accessibility is critical for seniors, and nurses need to be properly equipped for that, says this nurse leader.
Editor's note: Kathy Driscoll, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CCM, is the senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Humana.
The rapidly changing landscape of health care, underscored by the resultant needs of an aging population, has magnified the demand for in-home care. The number of seniors aged 65+ is expected to climb from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050 and, of the population 50 years and older, the number of individuals living with at least one chronic disease – including those that affect mobility – is estimated to increase from 71 million in 2020 to 142 million by 2050.
Given this shift in the population and corresponding health care needs, we must expand care delivery options, such as in-home care, to ensure accessible care for our seniors. Moreover, with the push to expand in-home care delivery, there must be a transformation in how nurses are trained, prepared and supported to deliver care in the intricate and intimate nature of in-home care. As the Chief Nursing Officer for Humana, a key focus of mine has been on bolstering how we prepare nurses through innovative partnerships and training opportunities.
In-home care education
The nursing profession is already under tremendous strain because of a scarcity of providers. Making matters worse is a deficit in educators who can teach necessary clinical skills. It has become increasingly clear that we must boost investment in educational resources that specifically address in-home care, integrating these modules into traditional nursing curricula.
A career in home health care requires a holistic view of patients and their needs. Home health nurses base care on a comprehensive approach that considers not just the medical, but also the social aspects of patient health. Nursing students exposed to in-home clinical training learn to manage care within the patient's living environment, giving them insight into the real-life applications of their academic training. This includes mastering how social determinants like finances, family dynamics, housing, and nutrition impact health outcomes.
The intimate care setting of a patient's home fosters deeper patient-provider relationships, allowing for continuous and more personalized care. Given this unique environment, nursing education should emphasize the heightened importance of empathy and patient-centered care. As in-home care increasingly incorporates telehealth and remote monitoring technologies, students would also benefit from education that teaches proficiency in these modern tools, making them versatile practitioners across various care settings.
Forging academic partnerships
Health system partnerships with nursing schools are critical to in-home care education. CenterWell Home Health’s partnerships with institutions such as Emory University and the University of Houston have been pivotal in translating academic principles into hands-on skills that empower future nurses with the competencies needed to thrive in in-home care settings.
This enhanced training has numerous benefits that extend beyond patient care and has a notable influence on nurse retention and job satisfaction. The flexibility and autonomy of in-home care are attractive to many nursing professionals who seek a sustainable career that also allows for a work-life balance. By offering a blend of clinical rotations, simulation scenarios, guest lectures, and externships, our team at CenterWell Home Health, a part of Humana, provides a comprehensive view of what it means to be a nurse providing care in the home. We are proud to have facilitated 285 student placements across more than 60 schools. These programs foster individual careers and elevate the whole sector to meet future demands.
Commitment to home health care education must be a collective endeavor. Beyond the direct training of nurses, health systems must embrace a broader vision that prepares the entire industry for the future. As we anticipate the health care needs of tomorrow, we must build a resilient, competent, and dedicated nursing workforce ready to face the unique challenges of in-home care. Through targeted education, practical training, and a commitment to continuous learning, we can help ensure that our nurses and their patients thrive in the evolving health care landscape.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Leaders must expand care delivery options, such as in-home care, to ensure accessible care for seniors.
There must be a transformation in how nurses are trained, prepared and supported to deliver care in the intricate and intimate nature of in-home care.