New Report Highlights Major Challenges for Long-Term Care
in Washington
New apprenticeship program offers partial solution to workforce shortage
For Immediate Release
Dec. 11, 2023
Contact: Andrew Lenderman
Office: 360.709.4618
Cell: 564.669.1626
OLYMPIA — Washington’s population is aging quickly and the state’s long-term care workforce
is struggling to meet demand, a new Workforce Board report shows. The report also highlights
how long-term care poses major financial challenges for many Washington families.
But positive solutions like a new registered apprenticeship program for licensed practical nurses
offer a path forward to better wages and working conditions for frontline long-term care
workers, the report says.
The report was commissioned by the Washington Workforce Training and Education
Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) on behalf of the Long-Term Care Workforce Initiative, a
partnership of private long-term care employers, healthcare providers, educators and state
agencies focused on industry challenges and creating solutions. It was recently shared with the
Legislature.
Washington families, employers, workers and taxpayers face significant challenges around long-
term care. For example, Washington’s overall population is expected to grow 5% by 2030. But
the population over age 65 will grow by 30% over that period.
More than half of Washingtonians over age 65 are expected to need paid, long-term care for an
average of 3.2 years, the report shows. These paid services cost from $1,700-$9,000 per month.
Many long-term care workers face their own challenges, including burnout and financial
pressures. Nearly half of home care workers received public assistance in 2020, for example.
Workforce turnover is high – averaging about 50% a year for direct care workers.
This workforce includes many women, people of color, and immigrants. Women make up about
85 percent of the workforce.
“If the status quo is allowed to remain and the (long-term care) workforce shortage is not
adequately addressed, Washington state will face an even greater healthcare crisis by 2030
when the number of individuals needing (long-term care) services will dramatically outpace the
number of available workers,” the report reads.
The Workforce Board’s Licensed Practical Nurse Registered Apprenticeship Program is one of
many positive solutions. Created in collaboration with many partners, the program creates a new
career path for frontline healthcare workers to become licensed practical nurses. These jobs
offer better pay and benefits, and new career options for those in the long-term care workforce.
Recommendations from the report:
• Continue funding the LPN Registered Apprenticeship Program, and expand resources for
Edmonds College, which provides educational support for apprentices.
• Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care providers.
• Double the Quality Improvement Program nursing staff, which offers technical assistance
for long-term care providers.
• Review state law to explore expanding where nursing technicians can work.
• Provide ongoing funding for the Long-Term Care Initiative.
Workforce Board staff testified Monday to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee
about this issue. Watch online at TVW.
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About the Workforce Board:
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is a partnership of business, labor and
government dedicated to helping Washington residents succeed in family-wage jobs, while
meeting employer needs for skilled workers.
The Board’s vision is that every Washington community is thriving, inclusive and economically
resilient. Learn more at https://wtb.wa.gov/.
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