In an example of the activity at the state-level on the workforce crisis in assisted living, we highlight the achievements of the Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA), which is focused on turning the tide on workforce challenges and creating more opportunities for career pathways to blossom within the senior living industry in Virginia.
The group, which is an affiliate of Argentum, successfully drew attention to its cause in May, when Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Special Advisor to the Governor for Healthcare Workforce joined the VALA Workforce Development Committee meeting. In the meeting, assisted living providers were able to share their concerns and describe the barriers they face relative to workforce directly with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) administration. VALA is working to keep lines of communication open to ensure that assisted living providers get the support they need, they said.
The workforce shortage in the commonwealth has forced the 560 assisted living communities (ALFs) to operate below full capacity. “In the last 10 years, the capacity of Virginia’s ALFs was nearly 32,500, but the demand for senior living has significantly grown resulting to the capacity being increased to nearly 39,000 at the end of 2022,” reports Judy Hackler, executive director of VALA.
In other news from VALA, several recent advocacy wins have a positive impact on industry workforce issues.
