Pennsylvania’s home care crisis deepens despite worker celebrations at The Home Depot
Home care workers in Pennsylvania gathered at The Home Depot in Camp Hill to celebrate their profession, but the event was overshadowed by concerns over staffing shortages, low wages, and inadequate funding. Two recent studies highlighted these issues, with one showing a 23% shortfall in funding and advocates pushing for a 10% increase in home care goods.
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association met at The Home Depot to honour their workers, but the event also served as a platform to discuss the challenges they face. Monica McDuffie, a home care worker, shared her struggle to balance financial needs with her passion for the job.
Two studies revealed the extent of the problem. One found a 23% shortfall in home care funding, with advocates hoping for a 10% increase in home care. Another study showed that home care is less expensive than nursing homes, with nursing homes costing about 127% more. Despite this, home care workers face difficulties in recruitment and retention due to low wages. Medicaid reimbursement rates in Pennsylvania are $20.63, but most workers take home between $13 and $16 per hour.
The new state budget added $21 million for caregivers in the participant-directed model, but offered no change for most home caregivers at home. Leaders in Harrisburg passed the overdue budget, but it left the home care industry underfunded. Mia Haney, CEO of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, criticized the budget for not addressing home care needs.
The home care industry in Pennsylvania is facing significant challenges, with low wages and underfunding leading to staffing shortages. While the new state budget did provide some additional funding for caregivers in the participant-directed model, most home caregivers at home saw no change. Advocates are pushing for a 10% increase in funding to address the 23% shortfall and improve wages for home care workers.
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