Senior Living Must Build Careers, Not Fill Vacancies | Opinion
Summary
The senior living industry faces a broad workforce shortage beyond just caregivers. High staff turnover affects many roles like dining, nursing, and administration, which influences the quality of life for residents. Experts say the industry must focus on career development and retention, not just hiring, to build a stable and skilled workforce.Key Facts
- Senior living communities usually focus on expanding buildings and beds but overlook staffing challenges.
- Workforce turnover rates in senior living are high: about 35% overall, 40% for dining staff, and about 41% for nurses.
- Many important jobs like chefs, accountants, and activity directors also have high turnover but get less attention.
- Common hiring methods like job postings and bonuses are short-term fixes and don’t solve the deeper workforce issues.
- Creating clear career paths helps workers see a future in the industry and encourages them to stay longer.
- High staff turnover affects residents who lose familiar caregivers and other staff, weakening community bonds.
- Over half of senior living budgets are spent on employee pay, and over 80% of providers invest in workplace culture.
- The industry offers unique career opportunities across healthcare, hospitality, finance, and leadership, often without requiring a degree.
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