St Paul, Oct. 9 (UNA): While much has been done about the pressure the coronavirus has placed on Minnesota hospitals, the state’s long-term care industry says it is facing the worst workforce shortage ever, according to the Associated Press (AP) reported. .
Leaders from top living organizations across the state say they have about 23,000 jobs, about 20 percent of the workforce at full strength. They say resignations trump new hires at a time when there are more seniors in Minnesota than ever before.
“We know that our workforce crisis is a huge problem to solve,” said Gail Kvenvold, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota.
Minnesota Public Radio News reports that staffing shortages are tightening admissions policies.
A survey of caregivers in Minnesota and Leading Age Minnesota, two groups that represent long-term care facilities in the state, says nearly 70 percent of nursing homes restrict admissions in some way due to staff shortages.
Filling vacancies was a challenge in long-term care even before COVID-19, but the virus has exacerbated the problem.
Leaders now say they face issues of burnout and opposition to authorizing the next federal vaccine for workers in the field. Plus, pay remains one of the biggest obstacles in hiring and retaining employees, they say.
AOQ