A coming crisis for those needing personal care
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
By Staff
Direct support professionals carry many different job titles but help people with varying needs, ranging from providing basic physical assistance to opening avenues for people with disabilities to engage in community activities.
Whether they are known as personal-care assistants, support services technicians or other designations, their work is integral to the lives of many people with disabilities and often is undervalued except by those directly served.
In my work as a contractor for the N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities, I see the necessity of well-trained, reliable direct-support professionals on a regular basis. As one with cerebral palsy, I also rely on direct support workers in my own life. Tom, my current support person, assists me with showering, dressing and eating so that I can earn a living, support my family and participate in my community. He is, in many ways, my lifeline to the world.
Despite Tom's critical service, many people view his line of work as menial, leading to a depreciation of this work force's value. This has led to a growing concern in the field of direct support.
An estimated 50 percent of direct support professionals leave their jobs each year. Low pay — $8.68 an hour on average — a lack of benefits, high burnout rates and limited training and minimal opportunity for career growth make remaining in the field untenable. (more…)
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