The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released a new study called Maine's Direct Care Workforce: Wages, Health Coverage, and a Worker Registry. It was mandated by the legislature and provides important information for the state to consider in the ongoing effort to ensure high-quality long-term care for elders and adults with disabilities.
Across Maine, over 22,300 workers, predominantly women, provide personal assistance and hands-on health care for elderly people, and adults and children with disabilities. Consumers report that workforce quality and consistency is critical to their experience of quality care. Constant staff turnover and shortages reduce quality of care significantly. Adequate wages and affordable health care play an important role in recruiting and retaining a competent and stable direct care workforce. The relatively low compensation for Maine's direct care jobs often makes them uncompetitive with other service industry jobs, particularly given the difficult nature of the work.
