In January, the Long Term Care Association posted that 40,000 long term care home beds are needed across the province.
Erika King, Administrator at Exeter Villa says that they’re seeing that shortage locally,
Although the surge in people needing care is something they’ve been anticipating, their current challenge is finding enough staff,
Challenges in retaining staff include high cost of living, long work hours due staffing shortages, legislatively capped wages, and competitive compensation in nursing agencies.
Some relief has come in the form of subsidies for people entering nursing and PSW careers, as well as the loosening of certain requirements for ancillary staff like dietary aides, allowing for more training for people with fewer qualifications.
King says that another challenge is the negative image of Long Term Care that was accumulated throughout the pandemic,
King says that the Exeter Community has been extremely supportive throughout the last few years, donating $30,000 throughout the pandemic. Now that their doors are open, it’s important that the community come back to the Villa, and help support the people that are working so hard to care for our aging population.
Written by: B. Shakyaver