The untold and often overlooked stories of workers in assisted living and other areas of long-term care are at the heart of a new docuseries taking a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and joys caregivers face in Ohio.
“People Worth Caring About,” presented by the Ohio Health Care Association and the Educational Foundation of OHCA, will premiere on May 7 in Columbus, OH, and is an industry recruitment tool looking to encourage more Buckeye State residents to consider careers in the industry.
The docuseries showcases the personal and professional journeys of seven caregivers working in assisted living communities, nursing homes and settings serving people with developmental disabilities. It highlights the challenges they face and the fulfillment they find in their work.
“Our goal with this series is to give a voice to those who are the foundation of long-term care,” OHCA Executive Director Pete Van Runkle said in a news release. “Their dedication and sacrifices deserve to be recognized and appreciated. This series allows viewers to step into their world and understand just how vital their contributions are.”
The series in part follows two activity directors at Glass Peaks Senior Living in Toledo, which offers basic assisted living as well as memory care. OHCA Strategy Director Erin Hart told McKnight’s Senior Living that the organization is “proud” to support a model that allows individuals to “age with dignity and joy in environments that feel like home.”
“Assisted living is a vital part of Ohio’s long-term care system, especially for older adults who prefer home- and community-based settings,” Hart said. “While it may not be the right fit for everyone, it’s an essential opinion, particularly as needs progress into memory care.”
Hart said that the primary goal of the docuseries is to spotlight the workforce crisis in long-term care, especially in assisted living communities, which in Ohio technically are known as residential care facilities. Unlike hospitals and home health agencies, which have recovered to pre-pandemic staffing levels, assisted living communities are still lagging behind — down 4.5% in staff members compared with early 2020 — as demand increases, Hart said.
“We need more passionate, dedicated professionals to join this field,” Hart said, calling assisted living not just a job, but a rewarding, long-term career that allows workers to make a difference. “This series captures the joy of working in these settings and the happiness of the residents themselves. Our hope is that it inspires the right people to see themselves in these roles and to step into this essential work.”
Anyone can reserve tickets for the premiere, which will be hosted by Peter Murphy Lewis, a former CNN correspondent and host of a reality show. The event is supported by Molina Healthcare and claims management company Sedgwick.
The Nebraska Assisted Living Association and Nebraska Health Care Association debuted a similar documentary series last fall with Lewis
Source: McKnights Seniorliving