As a registered nurse since 2002, I have worked in a variety of settings throughout my career, including a significant amount of time in the long-term care sector. Currently, I serve as the executive director of Affinity Care of Maine, providing hospice care in private residences, assisted living and nursing homes. Every day, I witness the incredible impact of caring, compassionate and hardworking direct caregivers.

Our residential care and nursing facilities are struggling, and older Mainers are feeling the brunt of it. We have patients awaiting placement who are stuck in the hospital for months and older adults with dementia sitting in the ER alone without anyone to advocate for them. Maine’s direct caregivers are the backbone of our health care system, and without adequate wages and benefits we will continue to experience these struggles. 

Long-term care facilities are dealing with severe and persistent workforce shortages. Cost of living increases have proven to be a lifeline for providers helping to retain dedicated staff by enabling modest, but meaningful wage increases, that keep pace with Maine’s annually adjusted minimum wage.

Cost of living increases are essential to retaining the direct care workforce. I urge lawmakers in Augusta to include funding to restore these increases for MaineCare Direct Care Services in the state budget. Not to do so would profoundly affect tens of thousands of Mainers, including those who receive long-term care, and the workers who provide this vital care and support. 

Jessica Duffy, RN
Waterboro