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Research co-authored by John Bowblis, economics professor and Scripps fellow, links nursing home staffing issues to economy

In Times of Low Unemployment, Nursing Home Quality Suffers

Excerpts from an article in Science Magazine

John BowblisWASHINGTON — The low unemployment rate in the U.S. — which fell to a 49 year-low in September and October — is good news to many people, but perhaps not to residents of nursing homes. A Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) study found that quality of care in nursing homes improves during periods of recession and worsens when the economy is good.

The reason, according to the investigation, published in The Gerontologist, is likely linked to how the strength of the economy affects the ability of nursing homes to maintain adequate staffing levels and retain employees, researchers say.

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