WorkForce Development for Long Term Care

Since 1993, Bessie’s Hope has addressed the unconscionable statistic of nursing home elders who receive NO personal visitors with its unique solution.  The national statistic has gotten worse through the years and is now at 60%.  The volunteer programs are designed to cultivate mutually rewarding relationships between the elders and the participating youth, families, and individuals.

There has always been a shortage of workers in the field of long term care, but the COVID pandemic that began in 2020 has created a critical workforce shortage.  Bessie’s Hope created this Workforce Development project in 2018 to introduce participating high school students to the vast array of jobs and career paths within all areas related to caring for older people.  To have your youth group participate in this process, contact Bessie’s Hope.

The Bessie’s Hope philosophy is that individuals involved in this field should see elders, not as useless, but as resources of great wisdom and knowledge with life experiences to share with younger generations.  Because of their participation with Bessie’s Hope, high school age individuals already have the education and communication skills for interacting with elders.  They also enjoy the elders, and they have already demonstrated compassion, empathy and respect for the elders.  These are the character traits that should be first and foremost demonstrated by all caregivers who serve our elders.

(Pictured below are teens interviewing elder care staff)