Nursing shortage to challenge operators

In 15 years, at least 2.5 million more long-term care workers will be needed to keep pace with the resulting increase in caregiving demands, according to researchers at the University of California at San Francisco.

Investigators examined usage trends, and matched them against several possible future scenarios. In each instance, a staffing shortage seemed imminent.

“Filling these jobs will be a big challenge,” said Joanne Spetz, Ph.D., the study’s lead author.

“Policy makers and educators should redouble efforts to create and sustainably fund programs to recruit, train and retain long-term care workers,” researchers noted in the June issue of Health Affairs.

The report did not examine factors that are already making it difficult for long-term care operators to find and keep competent nurses. These include pay, benefits, safety and respect challenges.