Nebraska's long-term care facilities face staffing shortages and other factors that could lead to more closures if state funding isn't increased. An estimated 400,000 people nationwide have left this facet of the health-care industry since the pandemic began. In Nebraska, the long-term care crisis has already led to closure of 44 nursing homes and 35 assisted-living facilities since 2015, the majority in rural communities. Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Health Care Association, said others remain at risk of closing their doors. "We have people needing services, wanting services," said Carpenter, "but the facility is struggling with staffing and is not able to accept additional residents, because they're having to care for the ones that they already have living with them." Carpenter explained that when facilities can't serve new residents, they struggle to remain financially sound.
