A substantial percentage of direct care workers have experienced a series of external and work-related challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many to leave their jobs within long-term care, according to a new research brief from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston.
In May, researchers at the center surveyed more than 1,400 current and resigned direct care workers in assisted living and independent living communities, nursing homes, home- and community-based services agencies, and health care services. Employees who had resigned reported experiencing external challenges related to managing the personal needs and demands of family members, as well as a lack of childcare and higher levels of COVID-related stress, more frequently compared with current employees. Resigned employees also were more likely to report understaffing and a lack of protocols or guidance on caring for residents or clients as challenges that they faced on-the-job, compared with current employees.
“This information will help nursing homes identify areas where they can possibly provide help with specific challenges faced by workers — such as lack of childcare — in order to reduce turnover,” LTSS Center researcher Verena Cimarolli said. “Information gained from this research will also help nursing homes identify potential training needs and possible communication deficits that they need to address in order to prevent workers from resigning.”
