Nursing homes have long been a mainstay of long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities. They provide residents with access to medical care, assistance with daily living activities, and social interaction. However, the nursing home industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including staffing shortages, low occupancy rates, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the future of nursing homes is uncertain. In this blog post, we will explore some possible scenarios for the future of nursing homes (Vogelsmeier et al., 2021).

Nursing homes are struggling to exist in their current form. Improvements in quality of care and staffing are required to keep these home sustainable. Maintaining homes in their current form assumes that the demand for nursing home care will remain stable, or even increase, as the population ages. In this scenario, nursing homes may need to adopt new technologies, such as telehealth and remote monitoring, to provide better care to residents. They may also need to invest in training and education for staff to improve their skills and job satisfaction (Vogelsmeier et al., 2021, Katz, 2020, Fowler, 2019).

It is possible that nursing homes will decline in popularity, as more people choose to receive care in their homes or in community-based settings. This scenario assumes that advances in technology and changes in government policy will make it easier and more affordable for people to receive care outside of nursing homes. For example, home health aides and personal care attendants may become more widely available, and reimbursement rates for home-based care may increase. In this scenario, nursing homes may need to adapt by offering more flexible and personalized care options, such as shorter stays or specialized care for specific conditions (Vogelsmeier et al., 2021, Sloan, 2020).

Another possible future for nursing homes is that they will evolve into a different type of long-term care facility, one that is more focused on rehabilitation and recovery than on custodial care. This scenario assumes that nursing homes will become more specialized and offer a wider range of services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Nursing homes may also become more integrated with other healthcare providers, such as hospitals and home health agencies. In this scenario, nursing homes may need to invest in new equipment and technology to provide more advanced care, and they may need to recruit more highly skilled staff, such as nurses with specialized training in rehabilitation (Alexander & McMullen, 2023).

Nursing homes could become more community-oriented, serving as hubs for healthcare and social services in the local area. This scenario assumes that nursing homes will be viewed as essential components of the healthcare system, rather than as isolated institutions. Nursing homes may partner with community organizations, such as senior centers and non-profit groups, to provide a wide range of services to older adults and people with disabilities. In this scenario, nursing homes may need to focus on building relationships with the community and promoting their services to a wider audience (Alexander & McMullen, 2023, Beate & F, 2020, Katz, 2020).

Nursing homes could be replaced by new models of care, such as shared housing and co-housing arrangements. This scenario assumes that people will seek out more innovative and affordable ways to receive long-term care, particularly as the cost of nursing home care continues to rise. Shared housing and co-housing arrangements may offer a more communal and supportive environment for older adults, with shared responsibilities for daily living activities and a focus on social interaction and mutual support. In this scenario, nursing homes may need to adapt by offering more flexible and affordable care options, such as short-term stays or respite care, and by partnering with shared housing and co-housing organizations (Alexander & McMullen, 2023, Vogelsmeier et al., 2021).

In conclusion, the future of nursing homes is uncertain, and it is likely that multiple scenarios will play out in different parts of the country and for different populations. However, one thing is clear: the nursing home industry will need to adapt to changing demands and preferences if it is to remain relevant and sustainable in the years to come. Whether through new technologies, specialized services, community partnerships, or new models of care nursing homes need to transform into a better more caring environment, supporting quality of care, and staff.

References

Alexander, G. L., & McMullen, T. (2023). Probing into Federal Policies and National Academies’ Recommendations to Adopt Health Information Technology in All U.S. Nursing Homes. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(2), 349–356. https://doi-org.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/10.1111/jgs.18259

Beate, A., & F., J. F. (2020). The Art of Caring in Selected Norwegian Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Approach. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 13(2), 820–827.

Fowler, K. (2019). The future of nursing home care in the U.S. Nursinghomes.com. https://www.nursinghomes.com/the-future-of-nursing-home-care-in-the-u-s/

Katz, R. (2020, May). Ensuring the best care possible for future nursing home residents. Aging Today, 41(3), 7–10.

Sloane, P. D. (2022). The Uncertain Future of Nursing Home Post-Acute Care. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 23(2), 190–192. https://doi-org.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/10.1016/j.jamda.2021.12.002

Vogelsmeier, A., Popejoy, L., Canada, K., Galambos, C., Petroski, G., Crecelius, C., Alexander, G. L., & Rantz, M. (2021). Results of the Missouri Quality Initiative in Sustaining Changes in Nursing Home Care: Six-Year Trends of Reducing Hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(1), 5–12. https://doi-org.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/10.1007/s12603-020-1552-8