By HFT Editorial Staff

Workforce shortages is the top challenge among senior care organizations, according to the third annual Workforce 360 Survey by human capital management software company OnShift. Responses from more than 2,000 long-term care, senior living and healthcare professionals indicated 79 percent are most concerned with staffing shortages, overtaking last year’s top challenge of finding and hiring qualified candidates, currently 62 percent. Staffing shortages have had a direct impact on clinical and financial operations, as 35 percent of respondents indicated they have had to limit new admissions or move-ins.

The healthcare industry is facing a massive workforce crisis and employees at all levels are tired and burned out. Nearly 80 percent of respondents noted caregivers and hourly employees face critical levels of burnout, while nearly 90 percent of leaders indicated they’re stressed, likely exacerbated by yet another year of the pandemic and the Great Resignation.

OnShift’s workforce report shows 83 percent of those surveyed ranked retention as a high priority, with 77 percent facing difficulties recruiting and hiring workers. By looking outside of the traditional workforce, this research highlights the opportunity to adapt in today’s challenging labor market. Over 70 percent of respondents are recruiting students, while 34 percentlook to family members of patients, 28 percent consider retirees and 8 percent pursue gig workers.