BertieBanks Asked February 12, 2024
What to do about staff shortages?
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Does one, today, just have to accept that even in an expensive Nursing Home because of staff shortages some residents aren't got up, washed and dressed until halfway through the morning? I have mentioned concern to management who admit that they often have morning shifts with serious shortages as staff just don't want to stay in the job. And this is a lovely care home with conscientious and caring staff and management!
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Here in the States we are having the same problem. Last November I was in my medical clinic (a large, well-run network) and they had a sign posted that read, "There is a world-wide labor shortage: please be patient." I've been with this same network for decades and have never seen such a thing.
Nationally we are 30,000 doctors short due to the high cost of med school and the ensuing med school debt; the government is mishandling new immigrants, choking off the legal flow of people willing to do manual labor and less-desirable jobs (that pay more than MacDonalds).
Part of the problem is that many countries are experiencing low birthrates and have an aging Boomer population (who are now requiring more medical services).
South Korea's birthrate is now below 1%, so they are not "replacing" their aging population. Very low birthrates also here in the US, in Japan, and Russian. Also, the younger generations aren't willing to take those caregiving aid jobs.
Pay is not the primary problem: remember that if the employer increases their pay, it gets passed on to the customer (us). There is nothing wrong with this business model if you aren't a charity. Same for teachers. It's not that is isn't valued, it's that it is so costly for years on end. People are living much longer than they used to. And with the health tolls of diabetes, heart disease and smoking, it's a perfect storm problem.
The government can't subsidize it more than its been doing since it's a huge chunk of the population -- the government gets its money from us, the taxpayers. So, higher taxes is the result of more subsidies.
FYI Medicaid's budget to cover dialysis is 1% of the total US federal budget. That's a huge number.
Unless lots of variables improve, there is no solution except to hire your own aid.
The market is flooded with jobs in our booming economy. Many do not choose to work in certain types of health care who did so previously. The same problem, by the way, holds true for many slaughterhouses. I have been reading that they cannot keep staff and worry more and more about food safety because of this.
The only good news here is that you recognize you have a caring facility who is endeavoring to do their best.
But you are correct; this is a problem.
You probably don't live in a place with a competitive medical industry.
Case in point there were 2 sisters who are LPNs that worked at the facility, they left for jobs at the Cleveland Clinic 😆
Looking at the want ads here there are many facilities are competing with each other for workers from LPNs to Cooks.
By the way one of the sad but funny in a way story is the one of the Aide that went on break at 9:30 in the morning and did not come back🙂
With inflation being higher than its been in 40 years, and grocery prices being outrageous, everyone needs as high a paying job or 2 as possible. The elder care industry just isn't it, sadly.
Care staff left in droves (where to I don't know), nurses left too, many for excellent paying but short-term gov run Covid testing & quarantine jobs. There were reports of Country Nursing Homes having Army personal brought in as they really had such little staff. Smiling army men & women shown on the News, taking a day's care work in their stride with a can-do attidude.
A formal enquiry into Aged Care quality & safety was launched. Job satisfaction was actually quite high but low pay was a big factor.
Some things have helped.
Free nursing & aide training courses were introduced. Many unemployed artists & hospitality workers during Covid lockdowns took this up for a guaranteed job. Many will hopefully stay (or at least do both). Overseas workers that left have returned. Yet still shortages remain.
I wish I had answers for you, I don't. All I can say is based on my experience from volunteering at a Covid Hospital. The patients were brought from their aged care homes, dehydrated & in what they wore. No belongings. Most had memory issues/dementia. Time as per the clock was irrelevant to them. A day could be long or short. They didn't need a daily shower, in fact it wore them out. Hygiene was maintained, but bed bath could be on any shift, not just AM. Clothing was from donations in those emergency times. Most were fine with this & one lady told me proudly she had chosen that lovely dark red top & pants (donated scrub wear for nurses that was handed out). Many of these people got to trust the staff, make real bonds. The care, a listening ear, a kind word, a gentle hand was more important than up, washed, dressed for breakfast. It gave me comfort to see this kindness.
Wishing you all the best as you care for your Mother.