As. A husband in 2012 I took my wife to emergency hospice care 3 times.  But   Because there was zero nursing aid staff for hospice care, I was my wife's Care Giver, And nursing aid and loving support in her last days of life.  I stayed with her 24/7 . I knew of the nursing aid shortage.  

One facility said I will leave your loved one alone for 24 hours in a body cloth and bed and comeback and check on them..due too no nursing aids today..I was shocked beyond belief.   Being alone for 24 hours is horribly offensive.

There are many Skilled Nursing Aids, but I hear them say I need 3 to 5 dollars more  an hour to feed my own family and kids. Nurses aids are leaving agencies for other jobs that have higher wages and secure benefits for self and family.

Nursing aid work in intensive nursing facilities is the hardest job there is. My wife was a Caregiver / nurses Aid.  She needed 3 jobs to feel financial stability.  I went on my wife's job with her for 3 hours one day ..and I was truly knockedout by how hard my 4 feet 11 inch 95 pound partner in life worked. 

 I know how hard nursing aid work is because I worked as an aid for 2 years at 8 dollars an hour.

I wore a back brace at work to protect myself and give 120 percent to deserving elders.  

Our government has to  give the nursing aid   20 dollars an hour and good benifits to attract  people to the nursing aid field.   

Give the nursing aid dignity and the income  and benefits that are  competitive.

I mentioned the plight of nursing aids In 2007 in a  forum.  A College professor said  if nurses aids and care givers and other such staff like cooks , servers,  and laundry staff who care for the elderly made 20 dollars an hours we would solve a lot of problems. 

Watching your mother in tears when you walk into her room,  Shook me too the core.   No shower for two weeks due too staff shortage...this is against the law.

Come on America please give dignity to our loved ones ..they deserve happiness, and  aid staff with top wages and excellent benefits.  20 to 30 dollars an hour for the toughest job there is.

Steven C Collins

Advocate for Americans