Efforts to reduce homemaker/home health aide turnover in a home care agency

Abstract

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of the Denver area conducted an action research project that identified and reduced high turnover rates of homemakers and home health aides. The research team worked to minimize attrition in the VNA's professional staff, which had annual turnover in excess of 95% and staffing losses as high as 60% from the first to the second day of employment. Through a collaborative effort within the organization, the team decreased turn over and reduced staffing losses to 25%, resulting in a first-year savings to the VNA of more than $5,900. Key words: reduction of home health aide turnover