Understanding Nursing Home Staffing Shortages in Maine

Many families searching for long-term care for a loved one are surprised to learn that nursing homes across the United States — including here in Maine — continue to struggle with staffing shortages.

While conditions have improved slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic, many nursing homes are still working to recruit and retain enough nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and caregivers to meet the growing needs of residents.

For families exploring long-term care options, understanding why nursing home staffing shortages happen and how they affect care can help you make more informed decisions.

Why Nursing Homes in Maine Are Facing Staffing Shortages

Several factors contribute to staffing challenges in nursing homes throughout Maine and across the country.

1. The Long-Term Care Workforce Has Not Fully Recovered

During the pandemic, thousands of nurses and caregivers left long-term care jobs due to:

• Burnout

• Health concerns

• Higher wages offered by hospitals or travel nursing positions

Even in 2026, many nursing homes still report open positions for nurses and certified nursing assistants.

Because caregiving work is physically demanding and emotionally challenging, recruiting and retaining long-term care workers remains difficult nationwide.

2. Many Nursing Homes Still Operate Below Ideal Staffing Levels

Experts estimate that nursing home residents typically require about 4.1 hours of nursing care per resident per day to meet typical care needs.

However, the national average staffing level is closer to 3.7 hours per resident per day, leaving a gap between recommended care levels and available staff.

Recent analyses suggest that most nursing homes operate with fewer caregivers than ideal, meaning staff often work hard to meet resident needs with limited time.

3. The Aging Population Is Increasing Demand for Long-Term Care

America’s population is aging rapidly.

As more people live longer, the need for:

• Nursing homes

• Assisted living

• Memory care services

• Home health support

continues to grow.

At the same time, the number of nursing homes nationwide has slowly declined over the past decade, placing additional pressure on facilities and staff.

What Is Happening With Nursing Home Staffing in Maine

Maine faces unique long-term care challenges because it has one of the oldest populations in the United States.

Many rural communities also face limited access to healthcare workers.

To help stabilize long-term care services, Maine implemented MaineCare reimbursement reforms in 2025 designed to support the nursing home workforce and improve care quality.

These changes aim to:

• Increase funding for direct-care workers

• Support higher wages for caregivers

• Improve recruitment and retention of nursing home staff

• Strengthen access to long-term care for Maine seniors

While these efforts are helping, staffing shortages remain an ongoing concern in some facilities.

How Nursing Home Staffing Shortages Can Affect Residents

When nursing homes struggle to maintain adequate staffing, it can affect several aspects of daily care.

Potential impacts may include:

• Longer wait times for assistance

• Less one-on-one interaction with caregivers

• Increased staff burnout and turnover

• Difficulty providing personalized care

• Delays in responding to resident needs

This does not mean all facilities provide poor care — many caregivers work incredibly hard under difficult conditions.

However, staffing levels are one of the most important indicators of overall nursing home quality.

How Families Can Evaluate a Nursing Home in Maine

If your family is exploring nursing home care, it is important to ask questions about staffing and daily care routines.

Consider asking the facility:

• What is your staff-to-resident ratio during day and night shifts?

• How long have most caregivers worked here?

• What is your staff turnover rate?

• Do you rely heavily on temporary or agency staff?

• How often do residents receive assistance with daily activities?

You can also review federal nursing home ratings and inspection reports through the Medicare Nursing Home Compare system.

Visiting the facility in person and observing how staff interact with residents can also provide valuable insight.

Planning Ahead for Long-Term Care in Maine

Because long-term care availability can vary across the state — especially in rural areas — planning ahead is one of the best ways families can prepare.

Early planning allows families to:

• Explore care options before a crisis occurs

• Understand the cost of long-term care

• Plan for MaineCare (Medicaid) eligibility

• Protect assets when possible

• Ensure legal documents are in place

Working with an elder law attorney can help families navigate these decisions and create a plan that protects both care needs and financial stability.

Learn More About Planning for Long-Term Care in Maine

If you or a loved one may need long-term care in the future, it is important to understand your options.

At Aging in Maine, we regularly help families plan for:

• MaineCare eligibility

• Asset protection strategies

• Long-term care planning

• Powers of attorney and advance directives

Planning ahead can help reduce stress, protect family assets, and ensure that loved ones receive the care they need.