Direct Care News: My Elder's Changing Life

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For direct care workers and their allies

June 4, 2013

My Elder's Changing Life

There are times when I drive somewhere, go into a neighborhood and am very envious of the cozy atmosphere that I will work in. That's what happened when I started working with a gracious lady in Brunswick, Maine. If I were to move anywhere, it would be Brunswick. The Main Street says it all.

But the more important connection happened as I got to know my client. lt is joyous when I find an elder who shares my beliefs, values and hobbies, and gratifying when someone has new things to teach me. Read more from Roberta Record.

Direct from Washington, D.C.

OAA Reauthorization Bill Includes Elder Care Workforce Provisions: At the May 23 Older Americans Summit, Senator Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, introduced the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2013 (S. 1028). The bill, which seeks to reauthorize and strengthen the Older Americans Act, includes many important provisions, including some related to elder care workers. Learn more about the bill.

A Meeting of the Minds on Facebook

Carla D. Washington

I want to thank everyone who joined me last Thursday for a live chat on Facebook. I could feel your passion about our issues in the thoughtful and probing questions you asked. Our time together online flew by, and you left me with a lot to think about!

We've compiled a transcript of the conversation, for those who couldn't participate.

Read more from Carla and the direct care workers and advocates who joined her on Facebook.

Quick Links

Direct from the Headlines

In Minnesota, the House has approved the bill that would allow home care workers to unionize. Family and professional caregivers discussed the legislation and shared their stories on the Truth to Tell radio show.

New York health care workers rallied for better staffing in hospitals and nursing homes.

More good health care news for low-income workers: Iowa has decided to expand its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act and Arizona's Senate has approved Gov. Brewer's plan to expand Medicaid.

The Texas Medical Association and other health care professionals in the state are calling for Medicaid expansion.

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 David Ward at 212-730-0741 or dward@directcarealliance.org.