Navigating Staffing Shortages in Long-Term Care

Across the country, long-term care facilities are facing a challenge that seems to have no end in sight: staffing shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified a problem that was already present: high turnover, staff burnout, and difficulty finding qualified professionals willing to take on demanding healthcare roles. For administrators and families alike, these shortages raise a pressing question: How do we ensure residents continue to receive safe, dignified, and consistent care? 

The Human Side of Staffing Gaps 

When staffing levels dip below safe thresholds, the impact goes far beyond schedules and charts. Residents may feel isolated if there are not enough caregivers available to provide companionship. Essential tasks like bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance can be delayed, which may lead to frustration or even medical complications. For the caregivers who remain on the job, the burden grows heavier. Many experience stress, exhaustion, and sometimes even choose to leave the field altogether. 

Families also feel the weight of shortages. For those with loved ones in facilities, the thought of reduced attention can be very worrisome. For administrators, it can feel like a constant balancing act between ensuring resident safety and managing limited staff resources. 

Practical Strategies for Administrators 

There is no single solution to staffing shortages, but facilities can take steps to ease the pressure: 

1. Flexible Scheduling: Allowing part-time or per diem staff to pick up shifts can help fill critical gaps while preventing full-time employees from being overworked. 
2. Cross-Training: Training caregivers across multiple roles gives facilities more adaptability in urgent situations. A CNA trained in dietary support, for example, can step in when kitchen staff are short. 
3. Employee Recognition: A simple thank you can go a long way. Recognition programs, whether through awards, small bonuses, or public appreciation, help boost morale and reduce turnover. 
4. Partnerships with Staffing Agencies: Building a relationship with a trusted agency provides quick access to pre-screened professionals who can step in whenever they are needed. 

The Role of Staffing Agencies 

Staffing agencies like Visiting Angels Home Healthcare Inc. play a crucial role in addressing shortages. Because agencies maintain a pool of credentialed professionals ready for placement, they can provide relief much faster than facilities that must post, interview, and hire from scratch. 

At Visiting Angels, we do more than simply cover shifts. We make sure the professionals we place are not only qualified but also compassionate and dependable. That means facilities gain caregivers who are invested in resident well-being, not just staff who are temporarily filling a gap. 

Families and Staffing Shortages 

Families who arrange in-home care also face challenges when shortages occur. When a caregiver calls out or leaves suddenly, families are often left scrambling. Partnering with an agency offers peace of mind that there is a reliable backup plan in place, which ensures continuity of care no matter what happens. 

Looking Ahead 

The reality is that staffing shortages will continue to challenge long-term care providers. However, with creative scheduling, stronger staff support, and dependable partnerships, facilities and families can protect the quality of care. 

At Visiting Angels, we are committed to being part of the solution. We provide skilled CNAs, CMTs, GNAs, LPNs, and more, exactly when they are needed most. 

👉 If your facility is feeling the pressure of staffing shortages, or if you are a family needing reliable in-home care, contact Visiting Angels today. Together we can create a plan that ensures the people you care for always receive the dignity and attention they deserve.