Occupancy Levels

Nursing home operators are seeing occupancy rebound as staff members start coming back. Despite seeing record-breaking COVID-19 case counts during the omicron spike, skilled nursing facilities were able to weather the storm with minimal deaths among residents, according to new analysis from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care. NIC data analyst Omar Zahraoui wrote occupancy “held its ground” despite high case counts and severe staffing challenges created by ill or anti-vax workers.

Absences and staffing shortages leave those still showing up for work carrying the burden. However, the industry’s staffing issues didn’t start with COVID. Researchers are concerned the situation could have a lasting impact on an industry which has struggled with a high rate of turnover and staffing shortages for a long time. But the pressures of the situation can often be worst for the low-paid staff that make up the backbone of daily care in the industry: nursing aides.