The critical shortage of direct care workers across the continuum of long term care was at the forefront of an informational hearing held by the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs this week. Focused on the direct impact the workforce crisis is having on nursing facilities, rest homes, adult day health and home care, the Committee invited testimony from Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Elizabeth Chen and Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta, policy leaders, industry experts and direct care workers.
Richard Bane, President of BaneCare Management and a Mass Senior Care Board Member, highlighted the dire CNA shortages in Berkshire county where he operates three nursing facilities, noting that nursing facilities in this region are competing for workers with coffee shops, retailers and Wayfair.
Following Bane’s testimony, Tara Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care, said “we believe that it is critical for the Commonwealth to adopt and fund a quality job for our CNAs. A quality job as defined by PHI includes a living wage, opportunity for career advancement and supportive workplace culture.” Testifying on Mass Senior Care’s panel were three dedicated caregivers, Beulah Clayton, CNA at Elizabeth Seton Residence, Tarsha Dejesus and Kyra Metilinos, CNAs at D’Youville Life and Wellness Community who shared with lawmakers the important role of CNAs, the care they provide and how they make a difference in the lives of their residents.
Mass Senior Care is grateful for our 50,000 CNAs who remain dedicated and committed to the residents they care for and the organizations they proudly represent. Thank you to the “everyday heroes” in our profession.