What's Happening?
The Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) has initiated a workforce development program named 'Care for the Aging' to address staffing challenges in senior living and care facilities. This initiative aims to enhance awareness, education, and recruitment
for roles in assisted living, personal care homes, and skilled nursing facilities. The program includes career education, success stories, and training pathways to attract and retain a skilled workforce. A key feature is a career portal for PHCA members to post job openings, facilitating direct connections between providers and potential employees. The initiative aligns with PHCA's advocacy for legislative changes to address workforce challenges, such as allowing skills competency exams in lieu of high school diplomas for certain roles.
Why It's Important?
The initiative is crucial as it addresses the growing need for a skilled workforce in the senior living sector, which is essential for maintaining quality care for the aging population. The call for increased state investment highlights the financial challenges faced by providers, exacerbated by flat Medicaid funding that does not cover the actual cost of care. This funding shortfall threatens the sustainability of senior living services, potentially leading to closures and reduced access to care. By advocating for legislative changes and increased investment, the initiative seeks to ensure competitive wages, better training, and retention of staff, ultimately improving the quality of care for seniors.
What's Next?
The PHCA and other senior living leaders are urging the Pennsylvania state government to increase its investment in aging services. They are advocating for the 2026-2027 budget to address the funding shortfalls that impact staffing and quality of care. The proposed legislative changes, such as SB 115, SB 114, and SB 116, aim to create more accessible pathways for individuals to enter the senior care workforce. The outcome of these advocacy efforts will significantly influence the future of senior living services in Pennsylvania, potentially setting a precedent for other states facing similar challenges.
