Speakers at Hallowell conference say uncompetitive pay, high turnover threaten direct care field

According to a Maine Center for Economic Policy study published in June, at least 2,300 more long-term care workers are needed across the state to close the coverage gap — not including the workers who may have left for different fields this year. There were 4,400 fewer direct care workers in Maine in 2022 than in 2019. Every week, 23,500 hours of approved at-home care go uncovered for older adults in Maine, largely because of the massive staffing shortage of direct care workers.

Click here to read the full story, first published September 17, 2024 in Central Maine.