tamatoledonews.com (SPECIAL) – On February 22, the Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) will host a public forum for older Iowans, persons with disabilities, direct care workers, family caregivers, health and long term care providers, legislators and others to discuss direct care workforce issues. The event will be held at the Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa with social time from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and the forum from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Pre-register online at www.iowacaregivers.org or call 515-223-2805 or 888-710-2762 by February 17th.

Iowa faces what some experts refer to as an emerging “tsunami of need” due to the aging of America and the increasing demand for in home care and other community supports. There are growing concerns about whether there will be enough direct care workers to serve those needs. Iowa needs at least 10,000 new direct care workers over the next few years.

Special Guest, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, will be on hand to share her personal experience walking in the shoes of a direct care worker. The primary question will be: What do Iowa policy makers and its citizens need to do to make sure that there are enough well-educated, highly-skilled, and well-compensated direct care workers available to meet the growing demand for their services?