Nursing Home Staffing Struggles Add to Health Disparity in Disadvantaged Communities

The significant difference in the staffing of clinical workers in disadvantaged areas can affect the quality of care residents receive.

Clinical workers for nursing homes in disadvantaged areas are “staffed for fewer hours” compared to those in other areas, new research published by the Journal of American Geriatrics Society shows.

Much like other areas of the healthcare industry, staffing shortages have made maintaining the rate and quality of regular operations difficult. The pandemic further aggravated the shortage, with nursing homes being heavily affected.

Lack of access to care in any area contributes to health disparities in a community. A disparity like this can have negative effects on patient safety and health.