Dire staffing shortages cause system collapse
February, 2022
By Access Press Staff
Minnesota is facing a severe care crisis, particularly for people with disabilities, as the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 exacerbates staff shortages. Illnesses in workplaces have led to employees staying home, impacting group homes, transitional care, and nursing home residents who receive less needed attention.
Proposed solutions for the 2022 Minnesota Legislature include retention bonuses, grant programs to assist support professionals with childcare costs, and scholarships for healthcare training programs to retain workers in the healthcare field. Legislative committee meetings and advocacy group updates are dominated by discussions on the critical workforce needs in the disability community and group homes.
Staffing shortages are affecting people's ability to remain in their homes with supportive services, leading to moves into group homes or with family members due to difficulties in hiring staff. The ripple effect includes family members quitting jobs or making other adjustments to become caregivers, while elderly family members may struggle to provide care.
Staying at nursing homes or transitional care centers has been a temporary solution for some with staff shortages, but widespread staffing crises make this option challenging.
Dire staffing shortages cause system collapse | Access Press