To ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can continue receiving consistent, high-quality care at home, today the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a new labor agreement that strengthens recruitment and retention for the region’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers.

A strong IHSS workforce is essential to preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and costly long-term care placements. But like the rest of the healthcare system nationwide, IHSS has faced significant challenges recruiting and retaining enough qualified caregivers to meet growing demand — especially as San Diego’s senior population rapidly expands.

“Thousands of San Diegans depend on a caregiver showing up every day,” said Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “By strengthening this workforce, we can reduce turnover, encourage more San Diegans to train as caregivers, and help families that count on reliable support for  their parents, grandparents, and loved ones.”

Why this matters for San Diego Residents

IHSS caregivers support clients with essential daily activities, including bathing, cooking, mobility assistance, and medication reminders. For many families, this support is the difference between stability and crisis.

But caregiver shortages and high turnover have made it increasingly difficult for clients to receive consistent, reliable care. When experienced caregivers leave the profession, clients often lose continuity and face heightened risks, including avoidable emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or premature institutionalization.

The new agreement approved today aims squarely at addressing this challenge.

Improving care stability and continuity for clients

The 30-month Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the IHSS Public Authority and United Domestic Workers is designed to strengthen the caregiving workforce so clients receive dependable, long-term support from the same trusted caregiver.

Key improvements include:

·        Modest wage increases - rising to $21/hour in 2026 and $22/hour in 2027, pending State approval — helping reduce turnover that disrupts care. 

·        Expanded training and skill development, improving caregivers’ ability to support clients with complex physical and behavioral needs. 

·        Safety equipment and injury-prevention resources, helping caregivers perform demanding duties safely and consistently. 

·        Transportation assistance and MTS transit passes, ensuring caregivers can reliably reach clients’ homes across the region. 

·        Life insurance and supplemental benefits, providing continued financial stability and helping retain experienced caregivers. 

Together, these improvements reduce turnover, strengthen care continuity, and help families rely on consistent support.

Many IHSS caregivers are women, immigrants, and workers of color. Strengthening the caregiving workforce not only improves patient outcomes but also uplifts communities that have historically faced inequities in pay and economic opportunity.