This is a naive understanding of where the money goes. The corporate owners of nursing homes could make less profit. It would be ideal if those leeches didn’t exist but we still live in a capitalist world, so they won’t be going anywhere soon, unfortunately.
Comment on Why exactly are nursing aids paid so poorly?
brucethemoose@lemmy.world 4 days ago
…Because it’s ridiculously labor intensive? Have yall ever had to take care of someone really old, with failing health? Or really young?
I’m not saying there aren’t huge structural issues, but it’s fundamentally hard. Taking care of just a few others will absolutely drain a professional, and paying them a livable wage + tax/benefits, with no other expenses whatsoever, will drain bank accounts of those taken care of.
Doc_Crankenstein@slrpnk.net 4 days ago
bluesheep@sh.itjust.works 4 days ago
I think you misunderstood the OP. Yes, taking care of our elders can be a very exhausting task. But those of us trained in taking care of them should not be paid a sub standard living wage while the nursing homes (and their managers/owners/w-e) get paid the big bucks.
Alkali@lemmy.ml 4 days ago
Do y’all really think managers make “big bucks”? Don’t get me wrong, most management is living the 90’s middle class life in 2026. But when did that become aspirational?
I still remember the Simpsons being the representation of a poor family. Now they are high class. That shit is not managers fault. Most managers are just working to not lose what they have while supporting their people as much as they can.
fodor@lemmy.zip 4 days ago
No, my friend. The Simpsons were middle class. Go watch it again and show me evidence otherwise.
Alkali@lemmy.ml 3 days ago
Huh, I always thought the Simpsons contrasted the US national projection of a mostly flat “middle class” society against the strict reality of its own socioeconomic classes. Simpsons being lower middle class (what I offhanded called poor), families like the Flanders being solidly middle class, and families like Dr. Hibbert being upper middle class. This was further contrasted through the display of Mr. Burns being very clearly wealthy.
My point was that the Simpsons live a life that is no longer achievable even by the average “upper middle class” family. A doctor may be able to support three kids and a stay at home spouse while owning two cars and a home, but not in most parts of the country.
And to my original point, most managers are not making an income that gives them upward or even lateral mobility. They are mostly just trying to avoid getting fired. Add in that HR has most actual power, and hides behind the front facing manager (who has no actual power), and you have a shell game of authority and responsibility that supports keeping everyone “under control.”
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 4 days ago
they’re explicitly upper lower middle class folk
brucethemoose@lemmy.world 4 days ago
That doesn’t fix the cost issue, though.
Basically, with the world’s current demographic trajectory, an absolutely massive chunk of global production needs to be allocated towards such caregivers and the elderly. There’s no way around it.
And yes, the management structure is completely screwed up, but I’m just saying that’s not seeing the forest through the trees. It masks the bigger issue. If you eliminated every single manager, every ancillary position, it wouldn’t even be close to enough.