Statement: Long-Term Care Imperative Points to Vaccine Mandate Impact on Workforce Crisis

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

SAINT PAUL, MN (Nov. 4, 2021) - Vaccination is a critical part of combatting COVID-19. Alongside health care providers and public health officials, we have strongly encouraged vaccination through education, counseling, public information campaigns and monetary incentives. Despite widespread efforts to improve vaccination rates, many people, including health care workers in long-term care settings, remain unvaccinated. Our greatest hope is that this mandate may be the nudge they need to get the shot. We know that there are strongly held feelings about vaccination, and we are deeply concerned that in the midst of a record level worker shortages, some of our devoted caregivers may leave careers in our field rather than be vaccinated.

Now that we have this long-awaited rule and guidance, we appreciate having information to help us move forward. However, let’s be clear, this is a potential powder keg with a short fuse. We may face a scenario where we don’t have enough workers to serve the seniors in our settings. And despite our pleas for help, there are no concrete solutions – either at the State or Federal levels – to help us solve our unprecedented workforce crisis.

The severe shortage of caregiving staff poses a serious threat to those in need of long-term care. Approximately 23,000 caregiver positions remain open in Minnesota, and 70% of Minnesota’s nursing homes are limiting admissions. We cannot afford to lose any more caregivers, not one.

We renew our call from lawmakers to help ensure adequate staffing to provide long-term care for all the seniors who need it. This means taking swift action to fund permanent significant wage increases and establishing strike teams to provide emergency staffing in long term care.

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The Long-Term Care Imperative is a collaboration of LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota, two of the state’s largest long-term care associations. The Long-Term Care Imperative is committed to advancing a shared vision and future for older adult housing, health care and supportive services.