What is the Nursing Home Staff Shortage Crisis?

Nearly every nursing home facility in the United States is facing a staffing shortage.  During the pandemic, the once growing industry for employment fell to record lows.  Between June and September 2021, 59% of nursing homes reported their problem with staffing has reached critical levels.  7 in 10 facilities are having a “very difficult time” attracting new staff.

The reason for the shortage is obvious.  Healthcare workers of all stripes have experienced increased stress during the pandemic.  Nursing homes are one of the most dangerous places to work in a pandemic that disproportionately hurts elderly people. 

58% of nursing home employees face increased risk during the pandemic without receiving any additional compensation.  Even before the pandemic, nurses were retiring at a faster rate than replacements could be trained. Symptoms of stress and burnout are even more common among younger workers.  How can one expect nurses to provide quality care when their own health is suffering?

Unfortunately, this worker shortage leaves a lot of elderly Americans in a difficult position. By 2030, 1 in 5 adults in the US will reach retirement age.  2 in 3 of these elderly adults will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime.  20% will need additional care for at least 5 years. So while the nursing home staff population remains low over the next decade, the number of Americans needing nursing home care will grow.

According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, nursing home residents ought to receive 4 hours of nursing care each day. Facilities fell short of this threshold even before the pandemic. As a result of pandemic problems, residents now receive an average of 21 fewer minutes of staff contact every day.  Less staff contact translates to less help at mealtimes, fewer baths and showers, and more frequent chances of falls and injury.

America needs nursing home workers. Right now, most facilities are not able to offer greater pay or benefits to their staff. Instead, recruitment may have to focus on issuing new green cards or adding nursing programs to high schools. The problem has no easy solution.