OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Direct Care Workers from all over Southeast Iowa came together Tuesday at Indian Hills Community College to hold several seminars concerning their profession.

The Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) held the conference for free.  Officials with the association came up with the theme, “Three P’s in a Pod.”  The title stands for professional and personal development and peer networking opportunities. 

KTVO spoke with Berdette Ogden, a representative of the Iowa Department of Public Health.

“The Department of Public Health has partnered with the Iowa CareGivers Association in bringing this conference for the first time to Southeast Iowa,” said Ogden. “We are here to enhance their learning opportunities and keep encouraging the good work that they do.”

Direct Care workers are among the lowest paid employees in the health care industry.  The work that they do is vital to the community.  For the two to three hours that they spend in the home with the patient, they provide a valuable service.  Direct Care workers do everything for the patient, from preparing and cooking meals, to preparing and assisting the patient when they need to take a bath or shower. 

Many workers are CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants.  In most cases, the CNAs know more about the patient than the RN or Doctor.  The reason for that is because the CNA or Direct Care worker spend many hours with the patient and understand their wants and needs.

KTVO spoke with one Southeast Iowa Direct Care worker, Connie Cochran.  Cochran is very passionate about her profession.

“As caregivers, it is sometimes hard to leave our jobs for the day to attend a conference like this.  But at events like this one, you will get motivated and make you love your job even more.  I always feel better about what I do and I really wish employers would offer it to more of their employees,” said Cochran.

Current numbers show that the State of Iowa has the highest population of citizens over the age of 85.  For adults that cannot afford to live in a nursing home or a skilled nursing facility they are able to have a Direct Care at a much lower price. 

The need for Direct Care workers is growing.  The participants at the conference told KTVO that the profession is not for everyone.  They stressed that the profession is a calling, and that their reward is the feedback and thanks they get from their patients.

If you feel that you have the passion for this profession, click here.

For more information on the Iowa CareGivers Association, click here.