Nevada’s homecare industry has long been plagued by low wages and worker shortages.
Workers in Nevada were earning around $11 an hour for nearly a decade before their raise to $16 last year. The impact of that change may be showing in recruitment and retention numbers — according to new data from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
Over four months following the increase, some 1,500 additional people joined the home care workforce — a 6.5% increase. Retention also significantly improved.
Families and individuals rely on home care for essential services like meal prep, transportation, and medication management.
Rozetta Love, a homecare worker with Paradise Home Care, has been in the industry for over 15 years. She says the $5 per hour raise made a huge difference for her and fellow workers.
“I’ve seen members of this occupation are more happier to service our clients, because we’re able to take care of our families now. So, that $16 really benefited the community.”
Despite the improvements, Nevada still ranks among the lowest for home care worker availability in the U.S. According to independent research, Nevada’s homecare industry is the fifth worst in the nation.
Nevada’s homecare worker union, SEIU Local 1107, which advocated for the last raise, plans to lobby for a $20 per hour wage during this year’s legislative session.
