“Wisconsin faces a critical shortage of direct care workers that leaves families and individuals struggling to meet care needs at the same time that the percentage of the population age 65 and older is increasing.”
This quote, taken from the State of Wisconsin Budget in Brief, highlights a very serious challenge that Wisconsin, along with all states across the nation, face with regards to caregivers for our most vulnerable citizens.
Whether a professional role (direct care workforce) or a personal role (family, friend, informal support), caregiving is an extremely important job that has great consequences on the individual receiving care, the caregivers’ lives, and the community as a whole. The role of a caregiver is one that can come with much commitment, anxiety, and frustration along with personal gratification. Caregivers are compassionate people that give of themselves, often sacrificing time with their own family, their own personal agendas, and missed financial opportunities. The caregiver role is both under-appreciated and under-compensated. Caregivers are often overwhelmed and in need of support and advocacy.
The overall concept of caregiving, both paid and unpaid, has been under-prioritized given the impact it has on our society. This in turn has contributed to the caregiver shortage we now face. Additionally, and according to the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiver Issues, “A significant reason for the shortages is the changing population. It is projected that between 2015 and 2040, the population ages 65 and older will grow by 640,000 people – an increase of 72%. That rate is six times higher than the overall Wisconsin population growth projection of 12% for the same period. Those 65 and older comprised 15% of total population in 2015. By 2040, they are expected to make up 24%.”
The caregiver crises resulted in Governor Evers creating a task force in order to strengthen the caregiver workforce in the state. The task force was divided into two primary subgroups, one to work on both family and paid caregiver issues, the other to focus on developing ideas for a home care provider registry. The task force passed 16 proposals. The Governor included 12 of the 16 proposals in his last state budget bill and 6 of those 12 have been removed from further budget discussion. The full report from the Governor’s task force can be found at: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/gtfc/gtfc-report.pdf
Although some of the proposals were adopted and included in the Governor’s budget, many were removed prior to the passing of the 21-23 state budget. However, this should not end the conversation on these concerns. The same issues continue to impact our overall caregiver crises. A collaboration between AARP Wisconsin, The ARC Wisconsin, and GWAAR has put together a comprehensive report that addresses:
- The state of caregiving in Wisconsin.
- The Governor’s Task Force on Caregiver Issues.
- Overview of direct care workforce and family caregiver proposals.
- What can you do?
This last segment is extremely important, it takes all of us to be the difference in making a change and the report provides opportunities to engage in the process. One of ADRC’s values is to Ignite Action – we drive the changes we want to see in our community. We are the spark that lifts people and ideas off the ground. We are the catalyst for change.
Find the full report issued by AARP/ARC/GWAAR here.
Here are critical recommendations, taken from the Governor’s task force, that advocates can focus on to affect change:
- Medicaid expansion.
- A pilot of the Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral protocol, an evidence-based care management protocol, designed to support family caregivers of adults with chronic or acute health conditions.
- Allow family caregivers of those with chronic conditions to use the Wisconsin Family Medical Leave Act for caregiving responsibilities and expand individuals covered to grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings.
- Codify in state law the requirements and standards for hospitals relating to caregivers.
- Invest in Aging and Disability Resource Centers to: A) Expand caregiver support services to address the needs of caregivers of adults with disabilities who are age 19 – 59 B) Expand the tribal aging and disability resource specialist program C) Expand the tribal disability benefit specialist program
- A pilot program to identify standards of practice for training options within the caregiving industry. In addition, implement a career ladder leading toward Certified Nursing Assistant.
- A pilot to create a one-stop shop for matching services providers with those seeking services.
“The Governor also recommends further investments into long-term care services that support Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents by expanding the successful Dementia Care Specialist program to all Aging and Disability Resource Centers. In addition to providing targeted funding to direct care workers in nursing homes and Family Care, the Governor also recommends providing $77.8 million over the biennium to increase the rates paid to personal care workers. The Governor further recommends expanding eligibility for the Alzheimer’s Family Caregiving Support Program by increasing the income limit from $48,000 to $55,000 and providing $1 million during the biennium for the program.”
ADRC will continue to advocate for all caregivers in Brown County. Please visit us online at adrcofbrowncounty.org and click on the “Advocacy in Action” tab for updates on important news topics as well as information on how you can become more active in becoming an advocate for issues that matter to you.
Thank you!
Sources:
Wisconsin Caregivers in Crises: Investing in our Future (Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving)
Family Caregiving and Caregiver Workforce: WWC Webinar Series
