CONCORD, N.H. — Long-term care facilities around New Hampshire are struggling with critical staff shortages.
Nursing homes are facing stiff competition when it comes to finding workers.
Some restaurants are closing during the week or cutting their hours down because of staff shortages, but long-term care facilities don't have that option. They are all-day, everyday operations and they desperately need workers.
"The fact that we are experiencing a huge staffing crisis has been troubling when it comes to all facets of facility operation," Brendan Williams, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, said.
Williams told WMUR he is more worried right now about staffing shortages than about the summer surge in COVID-19 cases around the state.
"Staff is really the existential issue right now and facilities just don't have the means with their Medicaid reimbursement to be as competitive as they want to be with a thriving service economy right now," Williams said.
Low unemployment in New Hampshire has employers competing for a work force that is lured to other industries by incentives that nursing homes just can't compete with.
"When I hear examples of restaurants that are offering $20 and hour and 401k's and health insurance and yet can't find takers, and this is in the Seacoast area for example, you know facilities can't compete with that," Williams said.
There are openings for all kinds of workers, including dietary, facility and nurses and nurse’s aides.
Nursing homes can only take the number of people that they can appropriately provide care for and Medicaid reimbursement rates just can't compete with private sector hourly wages, according to Williams.
"I almost wince when you drive around the state and you see these help-wanted signs in all the windows, or you go by a Walmart and you see that they are offering $16 to $17 and hour," Williams said.
The "New Hampshire Needs Caregivers" website is aggressively recruiting licensed nursing assistants right now.
The website
is promoting training costs reimbursed by the state, and even has an
option for people under the age of 18 to apply for the program, as well
as a $500 bonus.
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