It is hard to talk about the long-term care workforce without also talking about training. We can recruit new caregivers, but we also have to give them practical tools they can use in real situations. AHRQ’s Teachable Moments resource for improving skin care and multidrug-resistant organism prevention in long-term care uses real-world scenarios to reinforce skin care and infection prevention concepts. AHRQ’s Escape Room Game builds on those same concepts through an interactive activity that walks staff through skin assessment, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, contact precautions, and enhanced barrier precautions.
This is a pretty exciting idea. Infection prevention education can sometimes feel repetitive, but these resources take familiar challenges and present them in a way that is more engaging and easier to remember. In the Escape Room Game, staff move through four parts of a scenario-based exercise that asks them to observe, think through next steps, and apply what they know. That kind of learning can help staff connect day-to-day care decisions with bigger goals like skin integrity, infection prevention, and resident well-being.
At the same time, the workforce conversation is not slowing down. McKnight’s recently reported on AHCA/NCAL’s Caregivers for Tomorrow campaign, which is calling for policy changes to strengthen and expand the long-term care workforce. That push lines up with Representative Ron Estes’ announcement that he reintroduced legislation aimed at helping nursing homes continue in-house CNA training programs when certain fines are unrelated to direct resident care. The release also notes that current surveys show about 94% to 96% of nursing facilities are still actively hiring or struggling to fill roles.
That is why this matters so much. We need policy solutions that build the pipeline, and we also need educational strategies that help people succeed once they are in the role. The long-term care workforce does not get stronger just by adding more names to a schedule. It gets stronger when caregivers are supported, trained well, and given practical ways to build confidence in the work they do every day. Resources like these are a good reminder that progress often comes from both directions at once: smart advocacy and useful education.
Are your staff aware of the many opportunities available to strengthen their knowledge and sharpen their skills? Are you looking for educational tools that feel more practical and memorable? We should never stop learning, especially in an environment where strong training and strong staffing go hand in hand. Ongoing education supports the people providing the care, and that benefits every resident they serve.
Stay well and stay informed!
