Why Public Policy Matters…..

Roberta Borsella Farnum, Certified Senior Advisor
Co-owner, Home Instead Senior Care

“Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.” Napoleon Bonaparte

In February 2000 my husband and I started Home Instead Senior Care, Mecklenburg County’s first non-medical in-home care company. Today, 8 years later, more than 70 in-home care companies serve seniors in this area, a testament to the growing need for services for our older adult population. In -home care is the fastest growing industry in North Carolina.

So why does public policy matter to me?

It matters to me because in an industry experiencing unprecedented growth, there are many companies who are not serving seniors well and even worse, independent caregivers are not subject to the same licensing that we are, many of them preying on the vulnerabilities of seniors. Also, nurse registries, companies that contract with caregivers (vs. hiring employees as we do), are not subject to our licensing and scrutiny. Most consumers are not aware that independent caregivers and those contracting with nurse registries do not undergo criminal background checks, are not bonded or insured by worker’s compensation. By educating our public and public officials, we can create awareness and ultimately protect consumers.

Public policy matters to me because currently a half a dozen bills in the House and Senate that, if enacted, will directly impact my business. For example, the Employee Free Choice Act, bill S.1041, would permanently deprive American employees of private ballot elections. The misleadingly titled “Employee Free Choice Act,” would allow unions to avoid private elections – a hallmark of American democracy – by dismantling the 60-year-old system overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. The bill would grant union recognition based on a majority of signed cards, known as “card check,” a process known to invite peer pressure and union coercion.

My partner Les Farnum and I have worked hard to educate ourselves, our employees and clients on ethical practices in the senior care industry. To this end we joined forces with other in-home care companies and created the North Carolina chapter of the National Private Duty Association. Its mission is to enhance the strength and professionalism of private duty home care providers through education and identification of best practices. NPDA’s purpose is to educate state and federal legislators and inform the regulatory process in state and federal agencies about the needs of our industry. In the end what matters most is the protection our senior citizens and our continuing ability to offer affordable care.

Public policy matters to me because getting to know my elected representatives in the U.S. Congress is so important to my business. By building and maintaining relationships with these national leaders, I can share valuable perspectives and contribute to the public policy debates that affect our industry. As a business leader, I am in a position to help make sure state and federal lawmakers understand the challenges we face as service providers and employers, as well as the opportunities and choices we offer to improve the quality of life of people across the country.