Encore Senior Village’s Charlene Brown visits Washington, D.C. to promote caregivers rights

Charlene Brown loves being a caregiver. And that love of caregiving lead Charlene to join the Direct Care Alliance and the Arizona Direct Care Worker Association in Washington, D.C. in April as an advocate for direct care workers in Tucson.

A licensed caregiver at specialized memory care community Encore Senior Village, Charlene loves taking care of residents and their families. She began her career in housekeeping at a residential care community and quickly realized she wanted to make a difference as a caregiver. Since 1999 she has been working at Encore Senior Village making a difference each and every day.

But Charlene has been concerned about the continued need for caregivers and support, and the educational requirements needed to effectively support individuals, families and the elderly.

When Judy Clinco, RN and President of the Arizona Direct Care Worker Association visited Encore and invited Charlene to join the ADCWA, she said yes. And when the ADCWA was looking for participants to join them and the Direct Care Alliance in Washington, D.C. in April to advocate for health care reform and a fix to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Charlene realized she could be the voice for caregivers in Tucson and around the country.

“I knew I could be a voice for the caregivers here in Tucson. I know what everyone needs and is asking for. So when I meet with the senators and their staff, I just spoke from the heart and told them about being a caregiver,” said Charlene.

Charlene and the Direct Care Alliance was able to accomplish their goal with 37 members of Congress signing a Dear Colleague letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis asking for a change to the Fair Labor Standards Act to include home care workers. Direct care workers include home health and home care aides, nursing assistants, personal care attendants, and caregivers at facilities and communities.

The Direct Care Alliance was also advocating for: living wage and overtime protection; enhanced education and training requirements; and expanded access to affordable health insurance.

Charlene is grateful that Encore Senior Village has empowered her to fight for caregivers in all capacities. She will be joining the Direct Care Alliance in their Voices Institute this fall, a week-long retreat for advocacy, organizational development, message development, and more.

“I think some caregivers do not have what they need as far as pay, benefits and training. I have decided to continue with the Direct Care Alliance and I will be joining the Voices Institute in September to gain training on speaking to groups. I want to be able to go back to Washington, D.C., and have a greater impact next year,” said Charlene.

Charlene is especially passionate about the need for increased education and training. Because Encore Senior Village requires its caregivers to have extensive education and training, Charlene understands the necessity for qualified and trained caregivers. Encore Senior Village developed higher standards and training requirements than the rest of the industry to provide the best memory care in the country. This immersion in training and education has made Charlene determined to draw attention to the necessity of increased training. The only direct care workers required by federal law to have any training are those who work in Medicaid or Medicare-certified nursing facilities and home health agencies.

Added Charlene, “I want everyone in the U.S. to take time to think about your family and if you ever need caregiving help. What kind of person would you want as a caregiver?”