No. 96October 12, 2026
Caregiver shortages and wage increases
The hospital's discharge planning team often finds a patient medically ready to leave but with no available caregivers to support them at home.
2 developments · 2 cited sources
The question
When family members cannot provide care, can higher wages help build the paid-care workforce people need to leave the hospital and live at home?
Background
A hospital's discharge planning team often finds a patient medically ready to leave but without available caregivers to support them at home; dozens of caregivers and union representatives urged wage increases for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers.
The read
At Telluride Medical Center, the discharge coordinator says patients have stayed an extra week or two waiting for caregiver availability. In San Bernardino, dozens of caregivers and union representatives urged the board to support wage increases for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers.
What happens next
What would it take to join the discharge problem with the wage debate—so that paid care is available when families cannot step in?
Developments in this issue
Reference paths
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