Challenges in Long-Term Care Communities
Long-term care (LTC) communities face multiple challenges depending on their characteristics and the populations that these communities serve. They are particularly affected by racial disparities that have always affected the most vulnerable populations. Another issue impacting the sector is the disparity that exists between urban and rural areas. Rural areas are typically underfunded and less developed, which is reflected in the quality of long-term care as well. These challenges are more prevalent in long-term care due to a lack of regulation and a lack of incentives for rural long-term care workers.
Emerging Trends and Root Causes in Long-Term Care Challenges
Systemic racism plays a major role in all areas of society, including long-term care. Evidence suggests that racial segregation still exists in nursing homes, implying worse quality of life and outcomes for patients representing ethnic and racial minorities (Mack et al., 2020). A lack of regulation and attention towards this issue is the reason why this challenge prevails in long-term care. It is, however, possible to address the problem by establishing a single mechanism for measuring and assessing segregation in nursing homes (Mack et al., 2020). It is also essential to increase investments in culturally competent care.
In terms of urban-rural disparities, these appear as a result of resource allocation. The funds are typically directed towards areas with a larger population and more developed infrastructure. Supporting long-term care facilities in remote areas is usually seen as not viable by policymakers (Bowblis et al., 2013). Nursing homes in rural areas also face difficulties in recruitment. The current trend is that fewer professionals choose rural areas and prefer to live and work in an urban zone. This is exacerbated by the fact that employees are not incentivized in any way to work in a rural long-term facility, which is why this challenge affects long-term care specifically. The primary solution would be to offer more incentives, such as tuition reimbursement and signing bonuses.
Labor Challenges in Long-Term Care: Causes and Implications
The main labor challenge in long-term care is the staffing shortage. The demand for healthcare workers, particularly nurses and certified nursing assistants, exceeds the supply. This phenomenon is caused by a number of processes taking place in society, with aging populations being one of the causes. The number of patients in need of geriatric care is growing exponentially, while the number of professionals specialized in this area is going down. Due to the high workplace stress level, burnout is also frequent in geriatric nurses, which causes many to opt for less demanding and more rewarding career options. Other causes include low wages and lack of adequate training and education in facilities.
Addressing Federal Policy Gaps: Tackling Disparities in Long-Term Care
These challenges indicate various policy gaps in addressing disparities. Research demonstrates that there is a need for adequate enforcement of anti-discrimination laws (Mack et al., 2020). Race-based discrimination persists in the LTC setting, demonstrating a lack of regulatory measures addressing the disparities (Mack et al., 2020). Disadvantaged communities also struggle with achieving proper policy measures in terms of funding. Inadequate resources lead to worse outcomes in many LTC communities.
Leadership Strategies for Navigating Challenges in Aging Service Organizations
As a leader in an LTC facility, I would prioritize diverse leadership, training opportunities, mental health care, and the development of cultural competencies among employees. To begin with, I would establish a cultural competency training program that would aim at training the staff to identify their bias and detect any segregation and disparities that might take place in the nursing home. In order to increase employee job satisfaction and reduce burnout, I would implement a mental health support system that could provide a safe space for all nurses to communicate their struggles.
References
Bowblis, J. R., Meng, H., & Hyer, K. (2013). The urban-rural disparity in nursing home quality indicators: The case of facility-acquired contractures (PDF). Health Services Research, 48(1), 47–69. Web.
Mack, D. S., Jesdale, B. M., Ulbricht, C. M., Forrester, S. N., Michener, P. S., & Lapane, K. L. (2020). Racial segregation across U.S. nursing homes: A systematic review of measurement and outcomes. The Gerontologist, 60(3), e218–e231. Web.