FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2020
CONTACT
Zoe Iacovino, Communications Director Brendan Morris, Esq, Counsel
Office of Sen. Pat Jehlen Committee on Elder Affairs
617-722-1578 (617) 722-2810
WHAT:
Informational hearing featuring testimony from invited guests on the front-lines of the crisis facing the long-term care industry from individual in-home care to nursing facilities. The committee will ask questions about the challenges facing the direct care workforce, including staffing and compensation.
WHERE:
Hearing Room A-1
Massachusetts State House
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
1:00 PM
WHY:
Massachusetts faces a crisis for seniors and people with disabilities in need of long-term care. Reimbursements to long-term care providers through MassHealth is inadequate to meet the needs of the growing population of older adults and people with disabilities, whether they are seeking care at home or at a facility. Demand for in-home care is already high and is expected to continue rising. At the same time, a shortage of labor in the direct care workforce across the spectrum is limiting the ability to meet that demand. Solutions to the labor shortage will require the state and providers to address the low recruitment and retention of the direct care workforce directly resulting from low compensation. The challenges facing the underserved direct care workforce have impacts on older people and people with disabilities, particularly those who are low-income. As the aging population steadily grows, a question looms for Massachusetts: who will care for us?
CONTACT:
Zoe Iacovino, 617-722-1578 or zoe.iacovino@masenate.gov
Brendan Morris, 617- 722-2810 or Brendan.Morris@mahouse.gov
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