I agree they should increase, but who would be paying for the increase?

The elderly who are already retied and likely have a fixed monthly expenditure?

idk it seems like the healthcare industry as a whole made bank off this whole thing, if they want to help prove it wasn't largely a massive cash grab for the people at the top, then surely they'll reinvest their profits back into salaries to solve understaffing issues?

Elderly care isn’t really the same as the health care industry. I don’t know the nuances well so I might be wrong about this.

Meanwhile, even for increasing salaries for nurses in the health care industry, in the USA the improved image has to have a positive profit-based motivation.

Many possibilities: firstly by reducing costs from excessive profits, insurance company staffing, "management", etc. Secondly by increasing revenue, e.g. from reducing corporate tax loopholes & increasing corporate tax rates.

I like the ship you’re sailing :), I’m onboard. Sadly, I don’t think this sailboat has enough of us on it to change the momentum of capitalistic incentives or US policy.

I hope one day it does, but until then “who’s gonna pay for the salary increase?”