Home care families in Erie are feeling the strain of a growing caregiver crisis, driven by multiple factors including an aging population and wage concerns. A roundtable at the Blasco Library drew dozens of home care workers, families, and advocates — all hoping lawmakers would hear just how urgent the situation has become.
“They’re not just one dynamic — they are dynamic. They help with feeding, they help with my oral care, they help me get up every day, and they help me be a better person. I’m not stuck in bed, I’m not staring at a wall, and I don’t have the stress of depending solely on my family members.”
That’s Tyler, an advocate who became quadriplegic after a biking accident in 2015.
“My life changed in an instant. I went from not needing to rely on a team to relying on one — and they’re my team now.”
With fewer nurses entering the field — and many leaving — families say they’re being left with dangerous gaps in care.
“I’ve been in nursing for 27 years and I’m not even making $20 an hour. I was making that 27 years ago. It doesn’t add up, especially with the amount of work we do. Not necessarily with Tyler, but many nurses face serious challenges because we push ourselves to the limit.”
Attendees say these issues require legislative action from both parties.
“I think we’re building consensus on this because it affects every district. It’s not a Republican or Democratic issue.”
Advocates warn that time is running out for Pennsylvanians as more families lose access to the care they rely on every day.