According to a new American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) survey, about three-quarters of nursing homes (NHs) and more than half of assisted living (AL) communities say their workforce situation is worse in 2021 than it was last year. Among the findings:
- 94% of nursing homes and 81% of AL communities have faced recent workforce shortages.
- More than half say they are actively trying to fill vacant positions for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, dietary staff, and housekeeping personnel.
- 81% of NHs and 79% of AL community respondents say that higher reimbursement and benefits would help improve recruitment and retention.
- Just under half of respondents from both settings say that improved perception of working in the post-acute/long-term care/senior care industry would help attract and keep workers.
“The survey results clearly indicate that the long-term care workforce is facing serious challenges, and our country must make significant investments to help address these shortfalls,” says AHCA/NCAL president and CEO Mark Parkinson.
