06/09/2022

NIC: Wage 41 findings demonstrate workforce pressures

Late last week, the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) released the findings of its most recent Executive Insight Survey, known as Wave 41. Resident acuity of need upon move-in was reported, and all levels of care reported increases since the pandemic: 71% in AL, 62% in nursing, 61% in memory care and 41% in IL. 

Staffing shortages were reported to be less severe than in previous surveys, with 77% of respondents now reported their shortages as “moderate.” Reasons for the staffing shortages were reported as “attracting and retaining staff,” 83%; “rising operating costs,” 80%; and “staff turnover,” 63%. In terms of vacant positions, one-third of survey participants had less than 20% of their full-time positions unfilled, and 40% of participants had more than 20% of their FT positions unfilled. A new question was added about the CMS nurse aide training waiver; 43% reported that they have used the waiver to employ aides for more than 4 months without completing all required trainings, and 58% said that the cessation of the waiver would have a “moderate” impact on their staffing.  The survey also reflected continuing improvement in move-ins at all levels; participants reported a 36% (IL), 53% (AL), 51% (MS) and 78% (SNF) acceleration in move-ins for the month of May. Only nursing homes showed a commensurate increase (27%) in move outs as compared to the last survey, 23%. Finally, 53% of participants reported that lead volumes were above pre-pandemic levels, indicating that the positive trends in occupancy will likely continue this quarter.