Martha Stewart
“Whether or not you care about older people, you will, if you’re lucky, be one of them. It’s not just a demographic. It’s personal — it’s you, your parents, your aunts, uncles, friends and children. We need to do a better job caring for this population — and supporting those who care for them,” writes Martha Stewart in a January 20 post in the Huffington Post.
Stewart notes the absence of any discussion about that fast-growing population in the coverage of the health care bill, saying “We, as a nation, are utterly unprepared for this rapidly approaching ‘silver tsunami.’” She calls for better geriatric training for medical professionals and better support for family caregivers.
Stewart also endorses the CLASS Act, noting that it would provide people with cash for home care, adult day programs, assisted living, or nursing homes. “We must not lose sight of a pressing need for solutions that will offer older adults and their families some financial protection,” she writes.
Stewart is the founder of the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mt. Sinai.
Hi, I am a direct support professional. I have worked as a teacher and work in a group home as I raise my children. I work primarily with women. I feel it is my duty to speak up for women in jobs that are nonprofessional and encourage higher wages for these types of jobs. Many women work 2-3 part-time jobs just to make ends meet. Statistics from the 80’s told us that one-third of the US women who care for children live below the poverty level. Most women at sometime in there life will be the sole bread winner. Wages for caregivers need to be raised….I know my place in service but I will not take “your reward is in heaven” for a reasonable paycheck here on earth. I believe as women we need to fight for our piece of the pie. The time is now to stand up for the injustices of our sisters. We are worthy of a cost of living wage that respects who we are in our roles as women, daughters, mothers, caregivers, etc.