Reform Proposal 1

The U.S Census Bureau reports that by 2030 the number of U.S adults aged 65 and older will double from 36 million to 71.5 million. By 2050 that number is expected to grow to 86.7 million.5 This is a huge problem because as the population gets older there is an increasing demand for long term care workers, despite the current shortage of nurses we have today. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the workers in long term care needed will increase by 45%, while more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed across the entire medical field by 2012.4

The growing nursing shortage is degrading the standards of long term care. Nursing home staff and management cannot produce a decent environment for residents until there are major improvements in staffing ratios, staff management and training, decent pay, benefits and incentives, and safety protection. Long term care facilities are also facing challenges of turning down elderly from their care facilities that have special needs. Such elderly that have feeding tubes or ventilators. Patients who need extra care and attention like these can’t get that needed care with a shortage of staff. There are nearly 96,000 nursing positions vacant in long term care.3 We propose there needs to be more courses of training in geriatrics and an improved working environment for nurses. This will increase quality of care, keep nurses in the field, and possibly attract nurses to this occupation.

More legislation is needed to solve the nursing shortage and level of quality care in the long term care facilities. Several bills have been attempted at both the federal and state levels to address the issue of understaffing and working conditions in long term care, but few have been passed. I propose a new bill that increases the hours of training needed of workers in long term care facilities. This will increase quality in our long term care sectors. Currently long term care workers need only 34 hours of training, that’s less than half the training required of workers who provide the same type of care in nursing homes.1 I propose long term care workers need the same level of training as workers in nursing homes which concludes 85 hours of training and certification of standard.1 If there’s going to be a shortage of workers, they need to be masters in their field so they can perform their duties quickly and efficiently to get from one patient to the next.

Another reason for lack of quality due to shortage of nurses is partially in part by the high turnover rate. The rate far exceeds 50%.2 Reasons for such a high turnover rate can be due to long hours and duties that far exceed what they’ve been trained. I propose there needs to be more incentives and benefits that will attract workers and keep them in one place for a long time. Initiatives include wage increases, helping workers obtain health insurance, bonuses, childcare assistance, and transportation assistance. Yes, incentives cost more money but incentives will greatly decrease the turnover rate which in turn saves money. Currently long term care facilities spend $4 billion a year in recruitment and training expenses.1 With less turnover rate this money can be spent on workers and a better environment for them to keep them happy in one place for a long time.

References:

1. Dapper, N., & Ryan, L., (2008, April 22). More training for long term care workers. Retrieved February 26, 2011, from http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/360135_longtermcare23.html
2. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assisstant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (2003, May 14). The Future Supply of Long-Term Care Workers in relation to The Aging Baby Boom Generation. Retrieved February 26, 2011, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/ltcwork-A.htm
3. United Press International (2005, July 11). Nursing shortage affects long-term care. Retrieved February 26, 2011, from http://www.medicineonline.com/news/12/1004/Nursing-shortage-affects-long-term-care.html
4. U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.bls.gov/
5. U.S Census Bureau (2011, Jan 6). Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.census.gov/