Fay to chair group studying labor shortage among long-term care workers

AUGUSTA – Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, will serve as House chair of a new panel to study the shortage of workers for long-term care services. There is currently a shortage of direct care workers, and the shortfall of qualified workers to care for Maine’s growing senior population is expected to get worse in the coming years.

“There are not enough people who can provide long-term care services, and this is a very serious concern.” said Fay. “There are many cases of people going without the help they need because workers can’t be found to fill the jobs.”

The Commission to Study Long-term Care Workforce Issues, which was created as part of the state budget, is tasked with determining current demand for direct care workers, projecting future needs and developing strategies for meeting those needs. They are also tasked with developing strategies to improve the quality of long-term care jobs.

Fay is serving her second term in the Maine Legislature and represents parts of Casco, Poland and Raymond. She serves on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and is House co-chair of the Legislative Caucus on Aging.