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A new bill has been proposed in New York to address the severe shortage of home health aides in the state. The Long Term Care Workforce Support Act aims to attract more workers to the field by increasing salaries and providing $100 billion in federal grants. Proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the bill also seeks to improve labor protections for home health workers.
The shortage of long-term care workers in New York has reached critical levels, with over 1.2 million home care workers needed across the state. One of the individuals impacted by this shortage is Terry Ann Hamilton, a certified nursing assistant who works three jobs caring for elderly individuals. Due to not having a car, she relies on cabs to travel between her jobs and provide care to those in need. Hamilton mentioned that she considers the people she cares for as part of her family, highlighting the strong relationships that can develop between caregivers and clients.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand emphasizes the importance of compensating and supporting long-term care workers for the essential work they provide. She believes that the shortage is primarily due to the low wages offered for the job, with half of the 3.7 million long-term care workers earning less than $30,000 annually. Many workers find it challenging to make ends meet despite working demanding jobs and providing necessary care to families like Christine Dorsay’s who commended their dedication and compassion on a daily basis as they assist her with her needs at home.
Clients of home health aides recognize the value of these workers and advocate for higher pay to reflect their difficult and necessary work. Maria Santiago, president of a school on Long Island where there is a struggle to keep up with demand for certified home health aides, said agencies are constantly reaching out for trained aides who can provide care for their clients reflecting an urgent need for more workers in this industry . The hope is that increasing support through legislation such as this bill will lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling career path for those providing essential care to vulnerable populations across New York State.
