Investing in home health care the right call for N.Y.

I wish to express praise for the timely commentary by Joseph Pecora, president of Home Healthcare Workers of America (“Investments in home health care cannot wait,” April 20). He writes of the growing population of New York residents who need home health care now, and those who will in the near future, as compared to the available number of caretakers presently available to do these jobs.

The wage situation in many cases is a disgrace and, per Pecora, this group’s pay lags way behind with the salaries of school bus drivers, Amazon employees and those in numerous other occupations. Thus, it goes to reason that the turnover rate is enormous.

As a retired home care nursing supervisor in two local agencies, I personally observed the inequality and its effects in those caring for this needy population. Most of the aides loved the work, but due to such things as inconsistent child care, driving unreliable or older vehicles, and last-minute scheduling changes, they could not sustain themselves on the work or salary, with many taking on second and even third jobs just to survive. Though one of the agencies had leased vehicles for workers to use in a pinch, the cost of that became difficult for a nonprofit business to maintain.

Pecora speaks of the state working to establish a “true career ladder” with appropriate steps for these workers to advance, as available with many other professions. I agree that this idea is excellent and would provide a reason for more candidates to be attracted to this noble work.

Kathleen McCabe

Guilderland