Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a field hearing on August 2 entitled “Taking Care of Mom and Dad: Why We Need a Quality Workforce to Serve Our Older Americans.”

“I called this hearing today to address a serious problem in our Commonwealth and across the nation: providing access to a quality workforce for an aging population,” said a press statement by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who chaired the hearing.

Experts provided testimony on the shortage of health care workers, including physicians, nurses, and direct-care workers. They warned that with the baby boom generation turning age 65 in 2011, there will be an even greater demand for this workforce.

Witnesses included representatives of the federal government, academic medicine, a national advocacy organization, home care, and a direct-care worker association.

Senate Companion Bill to the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act Introduced

The day following the hearing, Casey introduced the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act, the companion legislation to the House bill (H.R. 5902) that was introduced on July 28 and sponsored by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA).

“The number of Americans needing long-term care is expected to double in the coming decades from 13 million in 2000 to 27 million in 2050,” Casey said in a press statement about the bill. “The vast majority, 70-80 percent, of paid care will be provided by direct-care workers.”

“As a long-time leader on issues affecting direct-care workers, Senator Casey understands in a very personal way their vital role providing compassionate hands-on care and support to elders and persons with disabilities,” said PHI Pennsylvania State Policy Director Joe Angelelli. “His leadership and concern for fair treatment of home care workers is critical.”

Fastest-Growing Occupation is a Poor Paying Job

There were 3.2 million direct-care workers in the U.S. in 2008. It is projected that an additional 1.1 million new positions will be needed by 2018 (pdf).

The median hourly wage for direct-care workers in 2008 (pdf) was $10.42, compared with $15.57 for all U.S. workers that same year.

As in the rest of the nation, home health aides and personal and home care aides are among Pennsylvania’s top 10 fastest-growing occupations (pdf).

“Despite providing care and services that help millions of older citizens and people with disabilities maintain their dignity and autonomy and often remain in their homes, most direct-care workers receive low wages, little or no benefits, and insufficient training and professional development,” Casey said. “As a result, there are high turnover rates that can compromise the quality of care our older citizens and people with disabilities deserve.”

Testimony from the hearing will soon be available at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging website.

– by Deane Beebe