The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Home health aides are in high demand but hard to find

 
 Jon Miller sits in his bedroom with his dog, Carlos, who he received as a present for successfully completing cancer treatment a decade ago. Miller sustained severe brain damage from advanced testicular cancer and its treatment. He requires the help of home health aides to continue living in his West Des Moines home.

Jon Miller sits in his bedroom with his dog, Carlos, who he received as a present for successfully completing cancer treatment a decade ago. Miller sustained severe brain damage from advanced testicular cancer and its treatment. He requires the help of home health aides to continue living in his West Des Moines home. Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • A prisoner advocacy group is demanding answers from the Illinois Department of Corrections after legionella bacteria was found in five facilities’ water supplies in March – but the state reported only two of them.

  • The president of the University of Illinois system is working from home after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Teacher salaries in Illinois have not kept up with inflation, according to the National Education Association.

  • The Champaign Urbana Public Health District has reopened its breast milk depot and dispensary.

In today's deep dive, we’ll look at why it’s getting more challenging to recruit and retain home health workers.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Reginald Hardwick, Emily Hays, Neshmia Malik and Natalie Krebs.

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