Pandemic Complicates Care Worker Shortage
May 2020
By Jane McClure
Minnesota faced a direct support staff crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation worsened with the loss of care staff during the pandemic. The staffing shortage has heightened difficulties in ensuring the safety of people with disabilities in their homes, potentially forcing them into overwhelmed nursing homes and hospital settings.
The state legislature considered relief measures, including temporary pay increases for personal care attendant (PCA) program workers and changes to care requirements. However, the economic impact of the pandemic may hinder the state's ability to provide additional funding for long-term care needs.
Disability advocates and organizations seek temporary wage increases, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for caregivers, and increased COVID-19 testing for those providing care. The pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing worker shortage, with factors such as college closures leading to student caregivers leaving their positions, caregivers finding other jobs, and current staff members staying home due to fear of illness or exposure to COVID-19.
The scarcity of PPE is a significant concern for both clients and staff, particularly in rural Minnesota communities. Many individuals with disabilities and their families are hesitant to allow care workers into their homes, further complicated by cultural and language barriers.
Some agencies are struggling not only to hire care workers but also to bring on interpreters. Family members are stepping up to provide care, but it comes at a high personal and financial cost. The Best Life Alliance, a coalition of over 130 organizations, has launched the #MeetTheNeedMN campaign to hire new support professionals for Minnesotans with disabilities, targeting workers laid off from other industries.