PRESS RELEASE
Framingham, MA – January 4, 2025 – Today, a groundbreaking pilot program was launched to address the escalating shortage of home healthcare workers, while simultaneously creating new career opportunities for immigrant adults. Funded by the MetroWest Health Foundation (MWHF), this initiative will provide 60 hours of training to 15 immigrant adults, in their primary language/s, leading to a Personal and Home Care Aide State Training (PHCAST) certificate of completion, with the goal of meeting the growing demand for home-based care services. Participants will receive payment for their training hours.
With 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, the need for trained Homemakers and Personal Care Homemakers has never been more urgent. By 2050, the number of seniors over age 65 will nearly double, increasing from 47.8 million to 88 million. However, the country is facing a critical shortage of workers to meet this demand. A recent report from the U.S. Home Care Workers Association highlights that this shortage is particularly acute in low-wage sectors, including Home Health Aides, Homemakers, and Personal Care Staff—positions essential for providing in-home care to older adults and people with disabilities.
This shortage is hitting Massachusetts particularly hard. As of January 2024, reports indicate that over 1,300 seniors in the state, including 350 in MetroWest, are not receiving the home care services for which they are eligible. These individuals are either left on waiting lists or forced into costly nursing home care—solutions that are financially burdensome for both families and the Commonwealth.
In response to this crisis, the Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest has partnered with the MetroWest Health Foundation to create a unique opportunity for immigrants to enter the home healthcare workforce. This program will provide participants with the training leading to certification required by the Commonwealth to become Personal Care Homemakers. It is expected that this initiative will increase the availability of home healthcare services while offering immigrants a career pathway to economic stability.
The program is designed to facilitate a seamless transition into the workforce, offering employment opportunities both within JFS’s Homecare department and with other agencies facing similar staffing shortages.
“The labor shortage in home healthcare is taking a toll on older and/or disabled adults, families, and communities across Massachusetts,” said Lino Covarrubias, Chief Executive Officer of JFS. “This program will not only increase capacity to provide crucial support to older adults who wish to age at home but also help immigrant Americans build sustainable careers that provide dignity and security for their families.”
As the aging population grows and the demand for home healthcare continues to rise, JFS is committed to expanding this program to help mitigate the shortage of qualified home health workers and provide immigrants with valuable job skills.
By training and certifying workers who can immediately fill critical roles, JFS aims to meet the needs of the older adult population while also contributing to the economic empowerment of marginalized communities.
About JFS of Metrowest
Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential social, health, and community services to people in need. Through programs like the Immigrant Home Health Career Program, JFS strives to alleviate suffering, enhance lives, and support vulnerable populations, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.