Payraises could be coming for some part time workers who take part in what backers say is a critical program for tens of thousands of seniors in Texas.
Those workers are part of the State's Community Attendant Services Program, right now they earn about $8 per hour. Legislation in front of lawmakers this session would boost that number.
"What they do is really critically important" said Trey Berndt with AARP Texas, describing how those attendants go to a Senior's home and help with things like meal preparation and getting dressed--making sure some 50-thousand seniors across the state are safe and sound.Berndt said the program is subject to a lot of turnover in it's workforce.
"If you're constantly turning over attendants every other week--a new person is showing up--that's disruptive to the senior--and tends to result in poorer care because they don't understand that person as well" Berndt said, noting a lot of those attendants can make more money at gas stations or fast food restaurants.
photos: facebook.com; dads.state.tx.us; flickr.com
