The Direct Care Worker Crisis

As it stands, there is a severe lack of funding and understanding about the vital importance of direct care work in Idaho. This makes it impossible for caregivers to earn a living wage and remain in the industry. It also leaves thousands of Idahoans struggling to find sufficient care, putting them at risk of being institutionalized and taken out of their homes.

The Effect on Idaho

The direct care worker crisis in Idaho is just that — a crisis with extreme ethical, moral, and financial consequences. If we don’t take action now, the lives of direct care workers and the people they support will be increasingly at risk. 

A crucial first step in solving this problem is recognizing the value of direct care workers through higher wages — and supporting this vital workforce through improved benefits and training programs.

67% of direct care workers surveyed made under $11 per hour

In Idaho, 70% of unpaid family caregivers have other part-time or full-time jobs, and their caregiving responsibilities often impacts their ability to continue working

300,000 Idahoans are unpaid family caregivers in Idaho

The number of unpaid caregiving hours is estimated at 99,000,000 hours, valued at $1,299,000,000

The living wage in Idaho for a single person with no kids is $13.95 per hour

“There are so many people going without care.”

—Alex D.

Impact on Idahoans

  • “Daily we get clients calling asking us ‘Do you have anyone for me; I'm on Medicaid.’ Unfortunately, that's one of those things that we have to say ‘no’ to a lot of times. They start crying because they've already heard it through 30+ agencies.”

    — Alex D., Direct Care Worker

  • “At this level of pay, even the people who are in it because they’re compassionate can’t afford to live here.”

    —Nichole C., Direct Care Work Administrator

  • “The crisis is going to prevent people with disabilities and older people from living in their own homes. We’re going to see people die. When you go into an institution, you don’t get the care you need and you don’t live very long.“

    — Dana G., Idahoan who Self-Directs Her Care

  • “It’s just getting increasingly difficult to find caregivers who will work for $11-$13/hour. You drive by McDonald’s and they’re advertising paying $14/hour.”

    — Alex D., Direct Care Worker

  • “Some might think we just sit at home and do nothing. People think we’re so different, but we’re not that different. If you don’t have the money and ability and the support to do basic things, how are you supposed to be involved and active in the community? How are you supposed to have a life just like anybody else?”

    — Dana G., Idahoan who Self-Directs Her Care

  • “It’s considered a ‘low-skill’ job and many people don’t understand the magnitude of their role — they might think they’re just stopping by someone’s home instead of helping them live the life they want to. We need to shift the perception of direct care work — it’s challenging, but also life saving and highly rewarding. You’re not so different from a surgeon, for example.”

    — Richelle T., Mother of a child on the DD waiver

  • “People with disabilities are all different ages and backgrounds. They want to be part of the community — they don’t want to live in nursing homes.”

    — Dana G., Idahoan who Self-Directs Her Care

  • “A client who refuses to go into assisted living? She has that right. She wants to retain her freedom and independence, and it’s our job to make that possible.”

    — Nichole C., Direct Care Work Administrator

  • “No matter what their reason for needing care is, it doesn’t matter — they need the care. They need someone to respect their choices and how they want their care.”

    — Alex D., Direct Care Worker

  • “There are so many children who need care, too. I can’t imagine what these families are going through because it’s going back on the families. They’re saying ‘We really need this help; we’re getting burnt out, we’re going to lose our jobs; we need to go back to work.’”

    — Alex D., Direct Care Worker

  • “I have learned of 2 suicides in family caregivers in the past year. I know for certain that one was related to lack of caregiver support and I know the other was under tremendous stress compounded by trying to provide care for a parent with dementia. This is a critical matter!”

    — Susan G.

  • “Proactive solution: Save money. Reactive: Throw more money at the problem when it becomes a bigger problem.”

    — Nichole C., Direct Care Work Administrator