This groundbreaking research captures the substantial benefits that would accrue throughout our economy if direct care workers earned at least a living wage. Using publicly available data and standard economic simulation techniques, LeadingAge researchers found that higher wages would benefit not only direct care workers, but also the direct care field, care recipients, and the economies of local communities in which direct care workers live.

Specifically, higher wages would:

• Increase the financial well-being of direct care workers.
• Reduce turnover and staffing shortages within care settings.
• Boost worker productivity.
• Enhance quality of care.
• Increase overall economic growth in communities where direct care workers live.