Our Voice: Legislators Should Make Pay Bump for Direct Care Workers Permanent

AgeWays President and CEO Michael Karson recently contributed an opinion piece to the Detroit Free Press that called on our Michigan legislators to make permanent the $2.25 pay raise for direct care workers enacted during the pandemic. The direct care worker shortage impacts our daily work and the ability of older adults throughout the state to access the care they need. While we know that this won’t wholly solve this complex problem, we think it’s a critical step that can help improve the quality of life for both direct care workers (who often live below the poverty line) and the older adults and people with disabilities who depend on them. We invite you to read the whole article:  Legislators, make the pandemic pay bump for caregivers permanent. We also encourage you to contact your representative in the Michigan House to ask them to extend the funding needed to continue this much-needed pay. You can find information on contacting your local officials in the advocacy section of our site.