In an effort to address the shortage of direct care workers, Pennsylvania state Sen. Dave Argall has introduced a bill that would remove the high school diploma or GED requirement for those providing nonmedical care to older adults. Instead, prospective workers would need to pass a competency exam.
The bill, aimed at boosting employment in the caregiving industry, is receiving support from advocacy groups and industry representatives, though many are calling for higher wages as a more effective solution. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania employs over 213,000 direct care workers who assist more than 400,000 residents with daily tasks like eating and dressing.
Austin Cawley, director of legislative affairs at LeadingAge PA, supports the educational requirement change but insists that increasing pay would more directly address the industry’s challenges. Caregivers currently earn an average of just under $15 an hour, with state reimbursement caps set at $20.63 per hour…