The caregiving workforce in the United States

The long-term care system in the United States depends greatly on immigrant labor, and recent immigration crackdowns are posing serious challenges for nursing homes and in-home care providers alike.

The caregiving workforce in the United States

Foreign-born employees form a sizable part of the caregiving workforce. According to data cited by Axios, 41% of home health aides, 22% of nursing assistants, and 28% of personal care aides are immigrants. They also make up 30% of the nursing home housekeeping and maintenance staff. These roles are vital for keeping facilities operating safely and efficiently.

With refugee and visa programs tightening, many facilities are losing valued staff and struggling to fill vacancies. “We have facilities with empty wings and it’s not for lack of residents — it’s just for lack of staff,” says Robin Wolzenburg of LeadingAge Wisconsin. The result means fewer caregivers and rising costs for residents and families.

Delivering quality care

Studies show that communities with higher numbers of immigrant healthcare workers provide better quality care and were more resilient during the pandemic. Yet the loss of these workers threatens to reverse that progress.

Behind the statistics are deeply personal stories, including trusted caregivers being deported, elders losing the familiar faces they depend on, and providers forced to cut services or close units. Immigrant workers have been the backbone of elder care in America. The loss of these people in the workforce is driving prices up and quality down.

Help is available 

Hurley Elder Care Law sees the difficulty of finding quality care as we work with our clients each day. Long-term care beds are becoming scarce, and families are struggling with the costs of all types of care. Our experienced attorneys and care coordination team help identify the best options available for each client. Call us today at 404-843-0121 so we can assist you in navigating the complex maze of finding, getting, and paying for care.