TO THE EDITOR:

Long-term Care is in crisis! Compassionate, caring staff are leaving in droves because they don’t make a livable wage. Some nursing staff feel forced to leave having to choose between picking up their children at daycare and being mandated to work additional shifts covering staff who have called in. Our caregiving staff are beyond exhausted from working extra hours; they simply cannot physically, emotionally, and mentally do it anymore. LeadingAge Minnesota reports that we have the most severe caregiver shortage in the nation. It’s heartbreaking to deny admission because we don’t have enough staff. Other industries pass on increasing costs to their customers, we can’t. The State sets our rates. People working in fast-food earn more. Caregiving should be an honored profession with livable wages! We MUST find a solution to reforming the Elderly Waiver (EW) payment system to support higher wages. Good Shepherd serves >67% of our assisted living population on EW services. We can’t sustain getting paid less than the cost of care, in an economy where EVERYTHING costs more. Older adults MUST be a priority this session! The legislature MUST act to ensure access for all seniors who need care!

Jodi Danielson

Good Shepherd 

Becker, MN