Home support workers are essential. They help seniors and people with medical needs live safely at home. But their work is undervalued—and it’s putting the entire home care system at risk.
Most earn far below a living wage. Many are only paid for time inside a client’s home—not the travel or waiting between visits. It’s unpredictable, precarious, and unsustainable.
Severe staffing shortages: Nearly 13% of home care positions are unfilled, leaving around 900 Nova Scotians waiting for care. Half aren’t receiving the full hours they’re approved for.
Unlivable wages: The living wage ranges from $24 to $28 per hour in Nova Scotia, yet most workers earn significantly less.
Highest injury rates in the province: Home care has a workplace injury rate of 5.84 per 100 workers—over four times the provincial average. Repetitive strain, lifting clients, and slips or falls are the most common injuries.
Unsafe and unpredictable conditions: Workers are often alone in clients’ homes, facing hazards and violence without support. Burnout is rampant. And workers are leaving.
Without fair wages and safer working conditions, more workers will leave--and more families will go without the care they need.
You have the power to fix this. Support fair wages. Guarantee safe conditions. Ensure stable hours.
Home care workers care for our loved ones. It’s time we care for them.
Home support workers provide essential care in people’s homes. They help with personal care, housekeeping, and daily living for seniors and people with medical needs. They are a vital part of our health care system.
Because conditions are driving them out of the sector. Chronic understaffing, poverty-level wages, high injury rates, and unsafe working environments are making it impossible for many to stay in the job—and harder for families to get the care they rely on.
Nearly 13% of home care jobs are vacant, leaving about 900 Nova Scotians waiting for full care.
Most workers earn less than the living wage across the province of $22.85 to $26.50/hour.
Home care has the highest injury rate in Nova Scotia—over four times the provincial average.
Because this affects all of us. If we don’t fix it, more workers will leave, waitlists will grow longer, and people who need help to live safely at home—our parents, our neighbours, our loved ones—won’t get it.
Yes. As Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Barbara Adams can ensure funding for fair wages, stable hours, and safe working conditions. The solutions are known. What’s missing is action.
Add your name. Send a message. Tell Minister Adams it’s time to support the people who care for our most vulnerable.