Get Ahead of the Curve by Unburdening Your Support Staff
The COVID era has permanently changed the long-term care industry. Some of these changes have already begun. Others are just over the horizon. They all could affect your LTC facilities and your business. Watch for these five trends impacting LTC now and in the future.
Table of Contents
5 LTC Trends to Watch
- Staffing Shortages
- Aging in Place, Home-Based Care
- A Rise in Person-Centered Care
- Elevated Patient and Staff Expectations
- New Compliance Regulations
Fortunately, you still have time to get the help you need to thrive in the new, long-term care business environment.
01. Staffing Struggles
Many factors are contributing to the chronic LTC personnel shortage. Currently, the Great Resignation is exacerbating an already dire problem. As the population ages, more baby boomers will need long-term care. Plus, life expectancy is also climbing. That means LTC facilities will be housing more patients and caring for them for longer.
More patients may sound good for business, but the increased demand has a downside. Recruiters already struggle to keep facilities fully staffed with qualified workers. More patients will require even more caregivers, fueling existing competition for qualified employees.
02. Aging in Place, Home-Based Care
COVID showed us that there really is no place like home. According to a survey by AARP, more people want the option to receive long-term care from the comfort of home.
For those companies that offer home-based care, this care dynamic requires more of your clinical staff. At-home LTC clinicians face new challenges, like making house calls or conducting telehealth consultations online through video conferencing. Fill out your workforce with people or third-party staffing solutions that can excel in these new roles.
03. A Rise in Person-Centered Care
Patients want more independence and input into their care. Successful facilities will give them the space to do so.
Engaging patients in a new way may sound simple, but it can be a difficult paradigm shift to maintain. It takes ongoing dedication to create an environment of inclusion and dignity among patients and staff.
04. Elevated Patient and Staff Expectations
The patients who opt to come into LTC facilities expect more than healthcare and a place to stay. The increased competition in the LTC marketplace is leading some facilities to offer more perks and services such as social and recreational activities, homeopathic therapy, laundry and housekeeping, and more.
Some are enticing patients with salons, fine dining, spas, live entertainment, and more.
Keeping pace with these luxury LTC facilities will take more than just offering more activities in the break room. It will take a real investment to reshape your space and bring in professionals to operate the new services you plan to offer.
05. New Compliance Regulations
COVID changed everything. LTC patients are among the most vulnerable demographic. The elevated risk led to new regulations to ensure patients receive care with as little exposure as possible. They include some physical changes, some policy changes, and a lot of paperwork.
You’ll need to stay on top of implementing new policies and ensure your team meets these new regulations.
Beware and Prepare
Combining all these changes adds up to a lot of extra work and worry for your support staff. We’re here to help. Our accounts receivable, collections, and billing services can handle your financials. That frees up time for your team to focus on tackling these industry challenges.
Take the burden off your support staff by letting us manage the backend office work.
Contact us today. 855.582.2600