Caring for the Caregivers

That’s a guiding principle at Cambridge Caregivers … one that you’ll often hear repeated by members of our leadership team.

It’s not just the right thing to do. It’s critical to our business’s success. That was affirmed for us with the recent release of The 2025 State of the Direct Care Workforce Report prepared by MissionCare Collective.

Direct care workers are those who serve residents in assisted living, skilled nursing and other senior living communities, as well as caregivers who serve clients in private homes. They are the frontline of support for older adults who need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing and dressing.

In short, this population is under stress – financially, emotionally, and professionally – at a time when demand for their services is skyrocketing.

More than half of direct care workers in the U.S. rely on public assistance. Direct care workers are two to three times more likely to face anxiety, depression and serious health issues such as heart disease and obesity, compared to the general population.

And that’s a problem for everyone.

“As families increasingly struggle to access necessary care, the problem is set to escalate as the population ages,” according to the Report.  “Supporting our direct care workforce is essential for delivering high-quality care and achieving optimal outcomes. A healthy workforce benefits the ecosystem.”

For us, the report reminded us of why we do things differently at Cambridge Caregivers. We can provide “white glove” concierge service to our clients because we not only hire exceptional people; we respect, value and reward those caregivers.

Here are a few key takeaways from the Report, and how we work to make life better for our team at Cambridge Caregivers.

According to the report, in the state of Texas, nearly 80% of caregivers are people of color; some 25% are immigrants. More than a third have no health insurance, and 44% are living in low-income households.

Cambridge Caregivers employees are eligible for a full complement of benefits. Full-time employees qualify for health insurance (including major medical, dental and vision coverage), paid time off, a 401(k), life insurance, bonuses, gas stipends and an employee assistance program. In addition, we provide no-interest loans, on a case-by-case basis, to help employees who face extenuating circumstances, such as the need to travel overseas for the funeral of a close relative.

Many of our caregivers naturally develop deep bonds when they serve clients who are near the end of life.  Cambridge Caregivers provides grief counseling to support our caregivers when they grieve.

Some 70% of caregivers said they want and need more training, according to the Report.

Training equips caregivers to handle their responsibilities more confidently and safely. That’s why we invest in training at Cambridge Caregivers.  We’re spending about $400 for each member of our team of about 225 caregivers.  Caregivers are paid for the time they spend attending in-person training programs.  To keep caregivers physically safe, every new employee undergoes basic training in transfer techniques, such as lifting a client from the bed into a wheelchair.

Many direct care workers are drawn to caregiving by a profound sense of purpose and mission. Despite the many financial challenges they face, direct care workers are twice as likely to donate to causes they care about, on average, compared to the U.S. population.

That confirms something else we already knew: Those who are drawn to the caregiving profession are genuinely caring people. Providing support, training and respect is the way we honor their commitment to serve others. That’s how we can provide the “white glove” service our clients have come to expect.