Nursing home employment fell to record lows during the pandemic. From February 2020 to January 2021, nursing home staff ratios fell by 32%. Hundreds of thousands of nurses left the job due to stress, burnout, and increased health risks that were not matched with additional pay. As a result, nearly every facility in America is short staffed. 78% fear they will be forced to close their doors.
This nursing home crisis is happening at the same time as America’s population is aging. In less than 10 years, 1 in 5 US adults will reach retirement age. Most of them will require a form of long term care at some point, with some needing for longer than 5 years. When nursing homes don’t have the staff they need, residents get less help at meal times, take fewer baths and showers, and face greater risks of wounds and falls.
How can nursing homes fix their labor shortage? While nurses do deserve to be paid more, most nursing homes can’t afford to increase their pay. However, support and appreciation can go a long way. Make sure staff have a quiet room for stress relief at work and celebrate good news when it comes.
