Home Health Care Aides Say It’s Time to End ‘Inhumane’ 24-Hour Shifts

March 19, 2026 - 07:30

Home health care aides in New York City are mounting a forceful campaign to outlaw the standard practice of 24-hour work shifts, calling the marathon sessions exploitative and dangerous. The workers, who provide essential in-home care for elderly and disabled clients, are urging the City Council to pass legislation capping shifts at 12 hours except in genuine emergencies.

Currently, many aides are legally scheduled for continuous 24-hour shifts, often with only a few hours of unpaid break time for sleep, which they say is frequently interrupted. They argue this model leads to severe physical and mental exhaustion, jeopardizing both their own health and the quality of care provided to vulnerable patients. The relentless schedule makes it nearly impossible to maintain personal well-being or family life.

The proposed bill seeks to redefine the industry standard, ensuring workers receive fair pay for every hour they are required to be in a client’s home. Advocates emphasize that ending these extreme shifts is a matter of basic dignity and a critical step toward stabilizing a workforce facing high turnover due to burnout. The movement highlights a growing recognition of the need for sustainable labor practices within the vital home care sector, which allows countless individuals to age with dignity in their own homes.