While the latest employment numbers show the health care sector grew by 28,000 jobs in May – including 1,300 nursing home jobs – staffing shortages continue to hold operators back, with many still limiting admissions and asking current staff to work overtime as a result.
Employment in health care overall is still down 223,000 jobs – or 1.3% – since February 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
In fact, concern continues to grow that workforce challenges will lead to more nursing home closures.
In the last month alone Colorado’s Cripple Creek Care Center announced it will be closing its doors this month after 47 years in operation due to staffing shortages, and a Good Samaritan Society facility in Mott, N.D. will be shutting down next month after more than 50 years in the community.
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has projected that more than 400 nursing homes could close by the end of the year.
As of the end of April, 20 nursing homes have closed across the country this year as worsening staffing challenges continue to cast a dark cloud over the sector.
A survey of 759 nursing homes released by the AHCA/NCAL this week revealed that 60% of nursing homes say they are experiencing worse staffing situations than they were at the start of the year.
The survey was conducted between May 16 and May 20 and 87% of respondents stated that they are facing moderate or high staffing shortages, with only 2% claiming to be “fully staffed.”
“The survey shows the severe and persistent workforce shortage nursing home providers have been facing with too many facilities still struggling to hire and retain staff despite making every effort,” AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a news release.
The majority of operators – 73% – were at least somewhat concerned about having to close over staffing woes and 59% were operating at a loss. More than half of nursing home leaders admitted they can’t sustain their current pace for more than a year, according to the survey.
Parkinson called on lawmakers to prioritize long-term care residents and staff by providing resources to address workforce challenges.
“As a provider that uniquely relies on government funding, policymakers must help nursing homes better compete for nurses and nurse aides, as well as build up the pipeline to incentivize more people to pursue a career in long-term care,” Parkinson said in the news release.
Nursing home providers estimate their costs have increased by 41% in the last year, the survey showed.
Despite nearly all the nursing homes surveyed having asked staff to work more through overtime, 61% of facilities are still limiting new admissions and 71% have hired temporary agency staff to fill the void.
This amounts to 26% being “very concerned” about having to close over staffing woes.
The lack of interested and qualified candidates is considered the top obstacle in hiring new staff.
The survey was released as the nursing home trade group and 500 long-term and post-acute care advocates are set to meet with members of Congress this week during AHCA/NCAL’s congressional briefing.
“We all agree that nursing homes need to hire more caregivers — the question is how,” Parkinson said. “Congress must invest in our long-term care workforce and protect access to care for millions of seniors.”
Companies featured in this article:
American Health Care Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cripple Creek Care Center, Good Samaritan Society
