Low wages are driving caregivers out of the profession, contributing to care shortage
Lake County, CA – Today, Lake County’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union representing more than half a million workers across California—returned to the Board of Supervisors meeting to urge elected officials to invest in long-term care. Lake County IHSS workers are currently negotiating a new contract with county officials, as their previous contract expired at the end of 2023.
More than 2,400 Lake County IHSS workers provide essential long-term care (including paramedical, personal care, and household services) to seniors and people with disabilities. The IHSS program ensures people have the freedom to receive long-term care in the setting of their choice by enabling them to remain in their homes instead of moving to an institutional setting.
“The entire community benefits from having trained, compassionate, caring home care providers for these recipients,” said Lake IHSS worker Dianna Wilyard. “Our essential work keeps thousands of people safe at home and out of expensive care facilities.”
Despite this essential role, Lake County is experiencing a caregiver shortage that will only worsen as the population ages. Last year, more than 385,000 authorized IHSS care hours went unused in the county, nearly 10% of the total and more than double the percentage of unused authorized hours statewide. These unfulfilled hours suggest individuals are not receiving the care they need and qualify for.
Additionally, wages and benefits that fail to meet the needs of families are driving IHSS workers out of the caregiving profession. The current Lake County IHSS wage is $17.15 an hour, only $0.65 above California’s minimum wage, and far below the MIT living wage threshold of $22.83 an hour for a single individual with no children.
“At various times, I’ve had to work two to three jobs to support my family,” said Ellie Hayes, a Lake County IHSS worker. “The IHSS wage is not enough to cover all my family’s costs.”
On top of all this, the population of older adults is growing in Lake and across California, increasing the demand for in-home care. IHSS providers are especially critical in rural areas of Lake County, serving as vital links for the disability and senior community and offering essential care to those who do not have easy, affordable access to medical centers or specialized services.
“Lake County needs to start investing in care before more providers leave the industry which will worsen the current care crisis,” said SEIU Local 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz. “Care workers are essential and they need to be valued in order to safeguard the well-being of seniors and people with disabilities in Lake County.”
SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advancing policies that improve the lives of long-term care workers and those they care for. The union’s bargaining team encourages the Board of Supervisors to collaborate to address these pressing issues and ensure that Lake’s long-term care system is prepared to support the county’s future.To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.