Direct Care News: Join the fight for your profession

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For direct care workers and their allies

December 11, 2012

Join the Fight for Your Profession

Brenda Nachtway

Millions of hardworking people like you struggle to support themselves and their families on the low wages they earn for taking care of some of our society's most vulnerable people. You deserve better working conditions, wages, and benefits for doing this important work. By becoming a member of Direct Care Alliance, you can join your fellow direct care workers in the fight for change.

We've listened to you and added a lot of exciting benefits for our members. Read more from Brenda about what you'll get if you join.

Direct from Washington, DC

Call your representatives TODAY and say NO to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security cuts: Leaders in Washington, DC, are debating how to control the federal deficit. Some options being considered to reduce spending include cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. These vital social programs provide millions of Americans -including older adults, individuals with disabilities and low-income individuals and families- with financial stability and accessible, affordable health care. These programs are also some of the most important sources of retirement, heath and income support for low-wage working families, such as direct care workers and their families.

Make your voice heard today: Call 1.888.876.6242 (toll-free line provided by Families USA) and tell the operator your zip code. You'll then be connected to the offices of your Members of Congress. Urge your elected officials to say NO to cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Gaining a New Perspective on Life by Dealing with Death

Anita Cross

I'm a CNA and home health aide at Cornerstone Hospice in Florida. I wasn't sure I wanted to work in hospice care at first, because I didn't think I wanted to deal with all that death and dying. But I found out that is my calling. I feel as if God has given me a privilege to work with people in their time of need--not only the patients but also the family members.

It also gives me perspective. I was married when I started at the hospice, raising a grandson who was very ill. My husband left me because he didn't want to help raise anybody else's children, so I became the family breadwinner. I worked other jobs to help supplement what I was making, but I couldn't keep up with the rent, so I became homeless for about a year and a half. But whatever I was going through, I wasn't lying there taking my last breath. Read more from Anita Cross.

Quick Links

Direct from the Headlines

A New Orleans CNA says she was fired for raising concerns about a resident's death.

A thoughtful New Old Age blog post on how to give home care clients the short visits they often want without hurting aides or agencies and interesting comments from readers.

CNAs and home health aides rate how well their training prepared them for their work.

Canadian researchers recommend building on CNAs' sense of community when integrating new workers in long-term care.

The Direct Care Alliance is the national advocacy voice of direct care workers in long-term care. We empower workers to speak out for better wages, benefits, respect, and working conditions, so more people can commit to direct care as a career. We also convene powerful allies nationwide to build consensus for change.

If you have comments on this issue of The Direct Care News or ideas for future issues, please contact Elise Nakhnikian at 646-823-7434, enakhnikian@directcarealliance.org.