Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing a $21 million investment to ensure direct home care services for those who need it the most. State Sen. Nick Miller got a firsthand look at what the investment means for those who receive and provide care in the Lehigh Valley.
Lynn Weidner and Brandon Kingsmore have each other's back. Weider said, "I mean Brandon, he's awesome."
"She's changed my life because I had no confidence," said Kingsmore. "I barely got out of the house. She is so much more, she's so much more than a caregiver."
Weidner is Kingsmore in-home caregiver and his friend. Together they're advocating for more support and back Shapiro's $21 million investment to improve and better support the home care workforce.
"Homecare workers we're holding it down, so the system isn't overwhelmed so that people we take care of stay out of the hospital, stay out of the nursing facilities," said Weidner.
Miller stopped by Kingsmore's home in Allentown to shadow both he and Weidner.
"It was amazing," said Miller. "I got to make some scrambled eggs. I think I got a thumbs up on how I did there and just get a really different perspective."
A real perspective of the kitchen table issues.
"I feel like people want to stay at home and if they want to, they should have the opportunity to," said Kingsmore.
"Just gives the good perspective on what he goes through, other folks that go through; what we should be prioritize in Harrisburg," said Miller. "It's important to understand that these are humans.
"What we're doing in Harrisburg impacts real lives."
Miller said home care actually saves taxpayer dollars compared to nursing home costs. But, at the end of the day, for Kingsmore, it's not about money.
Kingsmore said, "These are people's lives that you're messing with, and I hope that other people see this today and take that into account, cause we're at a crisis point."
