Massachusetts Elder Advocates Call for Better Wages for Home Care Workers

More than 400 elder advocates convened at the Massachusetts state house on March 24 for Elder Lobby Day to call attention to the challenges facing the state’s elder population — including home care workers’ low wages.

Advocates urged state lawmakers to push for a living wage for workers, arguing that they provide the invaluable service of allowing elders to remain in their homes and communities.

In a press release, Lisa Gurgone, executive director of the Home Care Aide Council, said, “Home care aides dedicate themselves to keeping elders and individuals with disabilities at home. But they earn a wage that won’t allow them to support their own families and homes.

“It’s time for the Commonwealth to take care of the caregivers with a living wage,” Gurgone said.

Representatives from AARP Massachusetts, the LGBT Aging Project, Massachusetts Senior Action Council, and many other organizations helped to organize the event.

— by Matthew Ozga