Seniors need access to home care services so they can age with dignity at home. But Illinois seniors aren’t getting the care they need.

There are over 20,000 seniors in Illinois who need home care services but are not receiving care.

What’s more, in 2024, 12 million hours meant for senior home care went unserviced. That means the home care crisis shortchanged Illinois seniors 12 million hours of care that they need. And it’s getting worse.

This number has been growing every year – destabilizing the Community Care Program. And it’s because poverty wages are destabilizing the care workforce. Care workers are leaving the industry because they can’t afford to stay – leaving seniors without care.

“People like me are struggling to access home care services that allow us to continue living independently in our homes because of a workforce shortage that is being driven by low wages,” said Diana Inman, a Decatur senior who receives home care services through the Community Care Program. “My regular [worker] was taken away from me, and it took them a whole week to finally find somebody to come in. That was rough.”

Seniors can’t wait any longer to get the essential home care they need. Support HB 1330/SB 120 to increase the wage floor for home care workers serving seniors in the Community Care Program from $18/hr to $20/hr in 2026. Care can’t wait!