Our Older Adults Are Counting On Us
We can’t afford to walk away from our loved ones and their caretakers.
Take action now to support
Cost of Living Increases for
Direct Caregivers and protect access to care for our older adults.
50
Closures
There have been over 50 nursing home and residential care facility closures or conversions to lower levels of care since 2014.
3%
COLAs
Cost of Living Increase Needed in the State Supplemental Budget to help maintain our direct care workforce.
70%
of Mainers
Need Care
Nearly 70% of older adults are likely going to need long term care services at some point during their lives.
If our elected officials don’t provide Cost of Living Increases (COLAs) for direct care staff, the continued staffing crisis could mean that more nursing homes and residential care facilities will close.
While the legislature has provided investments in long term care, nursing homes, residential care and assisted living homes struggle with the staffing crisis. The chronic underfunding, over-regulating and lack of staff are crippling Maine’s ability to provide long term care services to our aging population.
The declining access to long term care is deeply concerning. Underfunding is sending ripples through Maine —Hancock County has no nursing homes left. Other parts of Maine are soon to follow.
Together, we can solve this problem.
The challenges facing long term care facilities stem from too few workers and inadequate reimbursement rates that are not keeping up with rising cost of care and record inflation levels. Cost of living increases (COLAs) are a lifeline for providers to help retain dedicated staff by enabling wage increases that keep pace with Maine’s annually adjusted minimum wage. Direct care staff are the backbone of our health care system and COLAs are essential, just like the care they provide to residents every day.
Partners
