An aging population demands better alternatives. But while recent studies show there has been some improvement in the quality of care, decades-old problems such as inadequate staffing fester like a wound that will not heal. But it is far from the only issue. Largely supported by federal funding, nursing homes say they find it difficult to offer higher wages. The tight job market also makes it hard to find workers, given the rigors of feeding, bathing, and changing elderly people all day.
Care is expensive because it is staff-intensive.
To hold down costs, most of the care is provided by nurses' aides, who, in many nursing homes, are paid very little, receive relatively little training, are inadequately supervised, and are required to care for more residents than they can serve properly. In interviews with government officials, nursing home administrators, industry representatives, elderly advocates, and academicians, all told WebMD that the system is in dire need of repair before the huge number of baby boomers reaches old age and further taxes an already burdened system. But reaching consensus on how to fix it isn't as easy. N.Y. While the staffing issue always has been serious, it is reaching crisis levels because the medical needs of patients have increased. Without adequate staffing, many don't eat or drink enough.