Illinois long-term care facilities are reporting a major shortage of nursing staff according to data analyzed by the I-Team.
"This is a hard job. It's dangerous, especially in this COVID situation. And, also it's low paid and there are other attractive jobs," said Dr. Naoko Muramatsu, Professor, UIC School of Public Health."They have worked so hard in this pandemic, and, you know, they are tired, they are burnt out."
In Cook County, of the more than 200 facilities measured, 17% reported a nursing shortage. Of the 116 facilities in the collar counties, 20 report staff shortages; also 17%. Last fall, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, an industry group that represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities nationwide,that the staffing situation had gotten become worse during the pandemic. They found that 58% of nursing homes were limiting new admissions due to staffing shortages and 78% of nursing homes they surveyed are concerned workforce challenges might force them to close.
Experts say better pay and career benefits for the industry will help decrease the shortages, as well employers and organization owners working together to find ways to support nursing staff across the country.