During a discussion at a recent LeadingAge program, panelists noted that providers across post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings are competing with each other for a shrinking pool of workers. They suggested a need for a “holistic” approach to staffing that involves bringing together government, educational, and data agencies.
Among other insights for the panel discussion:
- There is much short-term focus on boosting the workforce, but we need to think long-term as well and develop strategies to grow and keep staff over time.
- One key is to elevate caring professions by changing the narrative and definitions around direct care work.
- Elevating the direct care workforce should start with basic staff training to enable workers to function successfully in a variety of PALTC settings.
- It is important to emphasize that this is a complex job requiring high levels of skill and responsibility.
- There is a need for consistent, standardized professional competencies across states.
