Candidate Obama with Pauline Beck, and "Mr. John"
As President Obama’s first term in office begins, we ask that he keep in mind Pauline Beck, a home care aide he spent a day with while on the campaign trail in the summer of 2007.
Following his day with Beck, as part of the SEIU’s “Walk a Day in My Shoes” initiative, Obama had this to say:
“There’s a lot of good people like Pauline who aren’t asking for much. They just want a living wage. They want health care, so they aren’t bankrupt when they get sick. They want a good education for their children and their grandchildren. They want to be able to retire with a little dignity and respect. That’s not too much to ask for in a country as wealthy as ours.“
About a year after their initial meeting, Pauline Beck was invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
“My job is to help people, and I love my job, but being a home care worker is hard,” Pauline told the delegates. “The wages are low, the hours can be long, and the work can be physically challenging…. Workers need a president who stands up for us.”
We think so too, Pauline. And we will be doing all we can to make sure the new administration gives this issue the attention it deserves.
I have continued to raise the isse on change.gov and Valerie Jarrett’s new website. I really hope there is something done to address these issues facing those who are the backbone of caring for the elders!
thanks, Pam. Is Valerie Jarrett’s new website, http://www.whitehouse.gov?
To all my Healthcare workers Brothers and Sister. We all have to taKE Stand with President Obama to “Change” our Career Standards. Its about each one of us lifting our “Voice” together so we can be heard. We provide 85-90% of care in Longterm Facilities. That means we are an important link in the Chain of Health. We all must come together and speak so Congress can hear us. President Obama is a man of his word, lets help him to keep is word.
Certified Nursing Assistants on the Move is a non-profit organization building a “Voice” in the State of Georgia. We are a Chapter of The National Network for Career Nursing. Please Contact Jennifer Hines @ (404) 438-6676 or email me @ jenhines2002@yahoo.ocm.
WE ALL MUST DO OUR PART SO THAT DIRECT CARE WORKERS VOICES CAN BE HEARD!
Well, I certainly would like more money and help for what I do, but this money will have to come from somewhere and where would that be? From our Medicare clients? Our elderly, our government, which is us! I have pondered this over and over, it will ultimately come from us. The Baby Bommers are retiring and many of them/us have lost a lot in this past decade and had to start over again. I have lost my retiremant, my house, and only have Social Security right now to hold me till I die. I have been a care giver for 30 years and paying taxes and insurance out of my check has kept me working two and three jobs for those years. Give us some kind of tax break is the only thing I can think of doing.
If I am not mistaken direct care workers are funded through state monies. When the state homes were in operation the workers got far better pay for doing the exact same thing we are now doing . The administrators we now work for get like 17.00 or more per hour to pay us but they use a portion of it for workmans comp., ins. and what not, then we get the leftovers. How does anyone know they arent taking a little more than what is really required for their expences, and is the state monitoring where that money goes so it finds it way to us. For one thing I know MORC/ CMH waste money making us take the same exact classes over and over again. teaching us the same things . Or do they really think we are that stupid and incompetant. So what else do they waste money on? Or is it so they can look good and have a job they get paid well for, and really do nothing ? I can see taking a class and learning something new as being necessary but not the same thing every year or so . Maybe a refresher class once in awhile if you need it ,but come on! Think about it if not many new people are coming their way, and for very good reason . Our pay stinks!!! They have to keep them selves employed by making us look stupid sitting their in their classes redundantly.
Funding for elderly care in Long Term Care settings is imperative. We must continually drive this message home to our legislators. Don’t take the funding from Long Term Care and distribute it elsewhere!