Opinion: Health aides’ low wages threaten home health care, a necessity for millions
Home health aides perform necessary and in-demand work that takes both a physical and emotional toll. Why do we treat them as low-wage, low-value workers?
To say that home health aides’ work is demanding is an understatement. They help elderly and disabled individuals get out of bed, bathe, dress, use the bathroom, eat their meals, and take their medications. They act on behalf of family members who don’t have the time or resources to take their loved ones to the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment. Home health aides serve as the first line of defense by recognizing symptoms and behavioral changes and taking action to prevent costly and potentially dangerous hospitalizations. They make
