International Workforce Issues

Posted: Sept. 15, 2007

IFAS is collaborating with the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (IAHSA) to examine the global impact of our aging world on the demand for, supply of and quality of the long-term care workforce. In particular, researchers are focusing on the role of aging services providers in shaping ethical recruitment and retention policies and sharing best practices across countries.

In June 2005, IFAS and IAHSA staff held a one-day summit in Trondheim, Norway, which brought together providers, policy makers and researchers to discuss the key workforce issues facing Western industrialized countries, including challenges to recruitment and retention, the impact of immigration on the host country and country of origin and the need to address cultural competence in training and staff practice. The themes that emerged from that conference were used to develop an ongoing set of workshops at subsequent AAHSA and IAHSA meetings.

In addition, Dr. Robyn Stone, IFAS' executive director, has delivered addresses on international workforce issues at the United Nations and at an international aging conference in Brussels in November 2006 sponsored by AARP and the Economic Union.

For more information contact Robyn Stone