Between 1999 and 2009, wages for PHCA rose from a national median of $7.50 an hour to $9.26 an hour, or roughly 26%. But after adjusting for inflation, real wages were essentially unchanged, according to the updated PHI State Chart Book on Wages for Personal and Home Care Aides. In 2009, wages in 36 states fell below 200% of the federal poverty level, or roughly $10.42 per hour. Workers receiving these wages are eligible for many state and federal public assistance programs.
The PHI Chart Book tracks wages in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and presents an entire decade of data from 1999 to 2009. PHI is a direct-care worker advocacy group.
What is disconcerting here is that with a move toward aging in place, these are the exact people that will be caring for your loved one. If employment screening programs are not in place by home care providers you risk the possibility that anyone desperate for a job could fill these roles and then exploit elders. Then when you do get someone who truly cares for those in their charge, you risk them leaving for any other higher paying job. And that is at the core - caring for our elderly should be a noble cause and occupation. And it should be paid accordingly. Not to do so sends a statement about how we value our elders.
2 comments:
This is a sad but true fact. As a Homecare agency owner it is a constant balancing act to pay caregivers the best wage possible while keeping care costs to the elderly as affordable as possible.
Although I pay my staff a bit higher than your article's range, I think they deserve much higher wages! If I paid what I think they deserve, most would not be able to afford care.
There are lots of costs associated with employees that have to be covered over and above wages. The outrageous costs of insurance, liability, bonding, and especially Workmen's Compensation. Employer's are matching all employees Medicare, and Social Security taxes, as well as business taxes. Costs of hiring, background checks, orientation and training are all costs that absorbed by agencies.
I don't know the answer to better wages while keeping care as affordable as possible? The only way this situation will improve is if the government supplements the elder population who are in need of care, so care costs can be increased, or offer agencies significant tax breaks.
At the end of the day there is very little money to be made in Homecare. The money available between caregiver's wages and the cost of care to the elderly is quickly and nearly fully absorbed in running an agency.
There are plenty of reasons that one might need h
home care services, but they all come down to one of two categories: either the person being cared for is recovering at home or has permanent medical requirements that don’t force him to remain in a hospital.
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