Workforce shortages remain one of the primary obstacles to ensuring access to long-term services and supports for older adults and individuals living with disabilities.
High turnover rates, estimated between 40% and 60%, and increased demand for direct care services due to an aging population continue to exacerbate the shortage of direct care workers.
The COVID-19 pandemic also worsened shortages across the country as an estimated 420,000 nursing home workers left the workforce.
Two-thirds of states, including Illinois, reported the permanent closure of at least one Medicaid home- and community-based provider during the pandemic, and cited workforce shortages as the primary challenge for certain types of Home and Community Based Service providers.
In Springfield Tuesday morning, the House Human Services Committee held a subject matter hearing to discuss strategies to strengthen the long-term care workforce.
Deputy Republican Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) told members of the committee that this is a struggle that she is not sure how it can be resolved. Hear her comments below.
Officials in the state believe communities need to find and hire between 820 to 968 RNs and 7,500 to 8,039 certified nursing assistants.
***Courtesy of the Office of Representative Norine Hammond***
