It is well known that in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States much of the devastation was concentrated in nursing homes. In addition to the staggering death toll, isolation and suffering from COVID-19 among nursing home residents, the pandemic introduced new challenges for nursing home staff and exacerbated ongoing challenges. This study explored the impact of the pandemic on direct care staffing (CNAs, LPNs and RNs). Learning from this crisis will inform future policies aimed at better addressing direct care staffing needs in nursing homes and how we can ensure that the industry is better prepared to withstand the next crisis.
This research was conducted under contract between HHS/ASPE’s Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy (BHDAP) and Research Triangle Institute. Please also visit the ASPE Long-Term Services & Supports/Long-Term Care page for additional research in this area.
Available Reports:
- Nursing Home Nurse Staff Hours Declined Notably during the COVID-19 Pandemic, with CNAs Experiencing the Largest Decreases Issue Brief
- Nursing Home Staffing Disparities were Exacerbated during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 Research Brief
- COVID-19 Pandemic Increased Nursing Homes’ Reliance on Contract Staff to Address Staff Shortages in 2020 Issue Brief