Local caregivers continue to face challenges with Medi-Cal cuts, low wages
Kendall Flynn
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The In-Home Supportive Service program continues to see a growing need for caregiving services in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. It’s a high demand local caregivers said they cannot keep up with.
There are over 55,000 caregivers with IHSS in Riverside County and over 61,000 clients. Caregivers usually have one to two patients, depending on the extent of the care, but that still leaves a large deficit in the number of providers to those in need.
IHSS hosted an appreciation luncheon Tuesday, recognizing the important work these caregivers are going in keeping people safe and healthy at home. While they appreciate the recognition, many caregivers share challenges they’ve faced that they believe need more attention.
Two of the challenges they’re facing are pending Medi-Cal cuts and low wages. Local caregivers said many of their clients rely on Medi-Cal to pay for the in-home caregiving program, and they worry the cuts will keep them from affording the program in the future.
“A couple of my clients felt like they were going to lose Medi-Cal, especially with this whole shutdown with government,” Elizabeth Herrera, a local caregiver, said. “It’s hard sometimes because you can’t, you know, take it personal, but you kind of do take it personal because you’re there for them.”
Another problem they’re facing is low wages. The United Domestic Workers union, supporting IHSS Riverside County caregivers, said they are earning just over minimum wage. They said the wage has always been stagnant but they should be earning more for the extensive work they do.
Herrera said she’s seen it impact how many people enroll to work in the program as they believe it is not a “livable” wage.
“There’s a lot of people I’ve talked to, don’t want to do it because, ‘Oh, I have children, and how am I gonna feed my family?'”, She said. “But you have to think about the care for them.”
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear how Riverside County and the United Domestic Workers are working to find a solution to the wage concerns.