About 20% Of U.S. Health Workforce Is Direct Care Workers Providing LTSS

In 2014, about 20.8% of people in the United States health care work force were direct care workers providing long-term services and supports (LTSS). In 2014, federal data estimated the direct care workforce at nearly 3.8 million; the entire health care work force at 15.7 million. Direct care workers include nursing assistants and home health, psychiatric, and personal care aides. Personal care aides represent more than 46% of the 3.8 million direct care workers.

Federal census data show that an estimated 12.3 million Americans age six years and older needed LTSS in 2010. LTSS . . .