Heart of the Matter Blog

Workforce challenges remain one of the most common struggles reported by LeadingAge PA members. This Careers in Aging month, why not take the opportunity to start fresh by evaluating current trends and patterns, and employing new strategies to positively impact your organization? Analyzing a workforce strategy doesn’t have to be a lengthy, complicated task; there are many resources available through LeadingAge and LeadingAge PA to support those efforts.

Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) is a unique aging services program designed for individuals who wish and are able to age in their homes and communities while receiving needed support. The model is a perfect fit for many, but it is at risk due to insufficient reimbursement and the need for a reliable rate-setting process.

According to CMS provider data, over 3,000 Pennsylvania nursing home beds have been delicensed over the last decade. Even more concerning? 84% of those beds were delicensed within just the last four years.

Embarking on a new year as a member of LeadingAge PA opens the door to a wide range of benefits and a peer network of over 400 mission-driven providers of aging services. So how can you make the most of your membership in 2024? Here are some ways to make sure you, your organization, and your fellow team members are benefiting from all that a membership in LeadingAge PA has to offer.

At LeadingAge PA, our commitment to members goes beyond representation; it extends to empowering and equipping them with invaluable resources to thrive in today’s challenging landscape. Recognizing the importance of cost-saving measures, LeadingAge PA has created strategic partnerships to offer exclusive programs. These collaborations enable members to access unique services tailored to long-term care communities, fostering significant savings in critical operational areas.

There are a lot of big-picture worries keeping aging services providers up at night these days. When there’s not enough money, not enough workers, and more than enough regulations, it can be difficult to push forward some days. But day after day, caring professionals of all disciplines keep coming back to serve the older adults they’ve grown to love. Most of them have a “why” that drives their heartfelt dedication to this field.

This article originally appeared as an Op-Ed by LeadingAge PA member, Beth McMaster. Beth McMaster, NHA, is the president and CEO of United Church of Christ Homes in Camp Hill.