Can AI help address future home care worker shortages?

Lifespan versus healthspan – a worrisome difference of 12.4 years in the US.  While many older adults may live longer, well into their 80’s, they may be living with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. That difference, known as healthspan, may be as much as 12.4 years in the US, the worst globally, according to a 2024 Mayo Clinic global study. Future staffing demand will force industry to rethink care strategies. According to BLS, the industry will need 4.5 million care workers by 2029 to meet the demands of older adults. According to an Argentum staffing report, in 2025 alone, another 347,000 caregivers are needed for memory care.  The home care and senior living industries draw from the same population of prospective workers. Home care and home health care demand will drive 21% job growth by 2033, but 59% of agencies will experience shortages.

Turnover must be addressed with training and (some) more pay.  The turnover rate in home care has risen 12% in the last two years to 79.2% industry-wide, according to Home Care Pulse survey. Job-hopping has traditionally been one way to get a pay increase. The transportation issue is another constraint – some firms are beginning to think about pooling demand based on location. The caregiver workforce of the future will need just-in-time tech-enabled training, offered before they walk through the door. This guidance will reflect the current status of the care recipient and suggesting the best possible solutions to help mitigate any problems the worker may encounter.

Hybrid home care models are emerging – combining in-person care with technology. Consider Always Best Care, for example. According to the company, “rather than spending time on tasks that technology can handle efficiently, caregivers can focus on meaningful human interactions, complex care procedures, and activities that enhance quality of life.”  Hybrid home care will increasingly utilize telehealth and multiple tools for remote monitoring, including AI and robotics, plus smart home technology, according to CareVoyant’s Home Healthcare Trends in 2025.

[From the upcoming report, The Future of AI and Home Care, June 2025]