After four years of the Covid-19 pandemic, community health workers (CHWs) have become a critical part of our public health workforce. As a key frontline worker, their impact during this unprecedented event was visible, but older adults who serve as CHWs remain a silent group.
CHWs are not a new concept in healthcare. Their history in the U.S. is long and varied, as they have been a rallying voice within public health settings. Globally, they are known for addressing unique health and social issues inside their communities. But what is a community health worker? And what do they do? CHWs are motivated and concerned individuals who help improve the overall health of their community. For instance, they can assist patients in making informed decisions about their health, converse properly with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers, and coordinate with different organizations to expand their work in cities.
As a key health resource, community health workers are important in communities and cities across the U.S. But we have a long way to go to include and recognize older adults as a valued part of this workforce. Older people as CHWs will change the field in various ways, from tackling ageism to supporting older patients living alone. They are vital in delivering well-being and health, said Dr. Asangaedem Akpan, a geriatrician at Bunbury Regional Hospital in Western Australia and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Liverpool. “And with clear guidance on delivering a specific intervention, they can successfully support well-being and health programs at the community level.” So far, the current state of CHWs still communities are not fully capitalizing on the talents of older workers, a major human capital resource within their populations. Here are three steps older CHWs can make an impact on healthcare.
*Human capital is defined as the skills, knowledge and experience acquired by an individual that is of value to society.
Older Adults As Valuable Resources
When older adults become community health workers, they bring new perspectives and approaches beneficial to society. Moreover, their wisdom, experience, and empathy can help build positive relationships in the workplace. They can collaborate with younger workers or engage with older populations to strengthen patient familiarity and trust. Studies have shown that baby boomers can help improve health care by getting involved in up-and-coming second-career opportunities. They are vital in delivering well-being and health, said Dr. Akpan. “And with clear guidance on delivering a specific intervention, they can successfully support well-being and health programs at the community level.” Ultimately, the goal is to support older people serving as CHWs because they can improve the support system for at-risk elders and reduce disparities in health and well-being.
Older Adults As Dementia-Informed Advocates
Alzheimer’s disease is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. CHWs can guide those with dementia and their carers on where to go for health and social care intervention and support, said Dr. Akpan. “They can be given clear guidance on identifying older people at risk of getting into a crisis.” Older CHWs bring something new: they are equipped with the knowledge and lived experiences of aging to reduce barriers between patients and healthcare providers. They can also help improve the quality of care and address barriers to patient-centered care—focusing on the patient and the individual’s healthcare needs. Being dementia-informed is a huge opportunity for healthcare, especially when dealing with diverse populations. For instance, CHWs can assist with cultural and language issues by providing culturally tailored health education, interpretation, and translation services. They can also relate with patients through sharing a common set of beliefs and shared lived experiences.
Older Adults As Empowered Advocates
Older populations have the potential to play a large role in the future of healthcare, including how patients approach their wellness and the health of their families and communities. As our fastest-growing population, they can change the course of action and forge unexpected inroads into community health. Older adults in an aging society are a dividend, said Dr. Linda P. Fried, Dean of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. “It will require great imagination to envision roles and responsibilities that capitalize on the capabilities of mature minds and match their aspirations to give back and leave the future better than the present.” The time is now to engage older workers and shed light on their influence in community health.
