Nursing homes
Virginia nursing homes rank near the bottom nationally for staffing, state study finds
A Virginia legislative study ranked the state 42nd for total nursing home staffing and 50th for nurse aides, and proposed the state's first minimum staffing standard, phased in starting in 2029.
Key facts
- Virginia ranks 42nd for nursing home staffing and 50th for aides.
- A state study proposed a minimum standard starting in 2029.
What happened
A study by Virginia's Joint Commission on Health Care found the state ranks 42nd in the nation for total nursing home staffing, 50th for certified nursing assistants and 38th for registered nurses, Cardinal News reported on October 28. Virginia homes average 3.7 hours of direct care per resident per day, compared with 3.87 nationally, and 2.1 hours of aide care compared with 2.33. About 27,000 people live in Virginia nursing homes, and more than three-quarters of the homes are for-profit.
The commission's staff proposed a minimum of 3.09 hours per resident per day starting in 2029, rising to 3.32 hours in 2031. They estimated it would raise Medicaid costs by $24.7 million and affect 79 homes. A federal staffing rule was struck down earlier, leaving standards to the states. Public comments are due November 2. LeadingAge Virginia said it supports the proposal. Demand for long-term care in the state is projected to grow more than 25% by 2036.
What it means for families
Staffing levels differ widely from home to home and state to state. Families can look up the numbers before choosing a nursing home.
For example: a family comparing two homes can check each one's staffing hours on Medicare's Care Compare site and ask how many aides work the night shift.
Ask whether the home uses many temporary agency staff.
What this means in New York: state rules require nursing homes to provide at least 3.5 hours of care per resident per day, including 2.2 hours from nurse aides.
What to do this week
- Check a home's staffing hours on Medicare's Care Compare website.
- Ask how many residents each aide cares for on day and night shifts.
- Visit at different times, including evenings and weekends.
Sources
More from Nursing homes
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- Nursing homes have cut use of agency staff by 44% since 2022, research firm says
- Medicare confirms daily therapy alone can qualify a nursing facility stay