Commentary: Home care workers deserve better, because people with disabilities deserve freedom

Despite the vital role our home caregivers play, they remain drastically underpaid and undervalued. Brandon Kingsmore is a home care consumer from Allentown and shares his story. “I live a full life. And that is because I’ve received care in the participant-directed model. This means I get to choose who provides my care and how it is delivered. This autonomy is critical — not only for my personal freedom and well-being but for the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. Participant-directed home care is essential. It is fiscally responsible. And it enables self-determination. Let’s start treating it that way.”