Shortage of home care workers a ‘real challenge’ for people with disabilities
DAVID WAHLBERG
Updated
Timeca Echols, left, is a paid caregiver for Adrienne Murdent, of Madison, who has cerebral palsy. While Murdent said Echols does a great job, it's been hard to get reliable caregivers amid a statewide and nationwide shortage, she said.
Born with cerebral palsy, Adrienne Murdent, 59, uses a wheelchair and relies on aides to help her get up, go to the bathroom, bathe, prepare meals and clean her condo on Madison’s Far West Side.
Terri Johnson, top, a longtime friend of Adrienne Murdent, shows how her Hoyer lift operates. Aides use the lift to transfer Murdent from her bed to her wheelchair and to the bathroom.
Jake Westerhof, right, who pays out of pocket for home care, said the workforce shortage has made finding reliable help more expensive. He recently hired Michael Brown, center, whose wife, Emele Brown, left, runs a home care service.
Jake Westerhof, who is paralyzed from the chest down, does range-of-motion exercises with help from aide Michael Brown, who lives with Westerhof in McFarland and provides most of his personal care.
Terri Johnson met Adrienne Murdent nearly 50 years ago, when Johnson did a teaching internship at Murdent's elementary school in New York. Murdent moved to Madison in 2010.
Timeca Echols, left, is a paid caregiver for Adrienne Murdent, of Madison, who has cerebral palsy. While Murdent said Echols does a great job, it's been hard to get reliable caregivers amid a statewide and nationwide shortage, she said.
Terri Johnson, top, a longtime friend of Adrienne Murdent, shows how her Hoyer lift operates. Aides use the lift to transfer Murdent from her bed to her wheelchair and to the bathroom.
Terri Johnson met Adrienne Murdent nearly 50 years ago, when Johnson did a teaching internship at Murdent's elementary school in New York. Murdent moved to Madison in 2010.
Jake Westerhof, who is paralyzed from the chest down, does range-of-motion exercises with help from aide Michael Brown, who lives with Westerhof in McFarland and provides most of his personal care.
Jake Westerhof, right, who pays out of pocket for home care, said the workforce shortage has made finding reliable help more expensive. He recently hired Michael Brown, center, whose wife, Emele Brown, left, runs a home care service.
