Workforce Solutions Can’t Wait! Contact State Lawmakers Today

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Minnesota’s assisted living settings and nursing homes are facing an unprecedented workforce crisis, and LeadingAge Minnesota members across the state are contacting their lawmakers to ask for support now.

There are currently 23,000 open caregiver positions in senior care. The gap in unfilled positions is widening at a rapid and alarming rate. Settings throughout the state are on the brink of closure, and caregivers are exhausted and leaving the field faster than we can replace them.

Shortages of staff are impacting access to care across the continuum. Nearly 70% of nursing homes are limiting admissions.

We know that we cannot solve this workforce crisis alone. We are urging lawmakers to take swift action to appropriate approximately $700 million for:

• immediate, permanent wage increases to support workforce recruitment and retention
• and to activate strike teams to help provide relief to exhausted caregiving teams.

Lawmakers need to understand that we cannot wait for solutions. Contact your legislators today and ask them to ensure that funding for permanent wage increases for senior caregivers are included as a priority in the upcoming special legislative special session. 

The date of the special session has not yet been announced, but legislative leaders are in active negotiations to determine the priorities to address, and it may only be a matter of weeks before lawmakers return. Don’t wait; we need action now!

You can contact your lawmakers in 3 easy steps:

1. CLICK HERE and enter your contact information – either at home or work – to find your lawmakers.
2. PERSONALIZE pre-written letter to help your lawmakers understand the severity of the workforce crisis in your community.
3. SEND your email, then SHARE this action alert with others. You can use the following link to garner additional support for our cause: https://p2a.co/7yxpdpg.

If you have questions about getting involved or would like additional details, contact Kari Thurlow, Senior Vice President of Advocacy.