Staffing remains a primary challenge to the senior housing and skilled nursing sectors, with more than half of operators surveyed by National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care in June saying they expect operating margins to increase over the remainder of this year. What's more, a whopping 84% of operators surveyed say operating expenses have already increased since the beginning of 2022. 

Increasing operating expense will likely continue to limit margin growth for the second half of the year, and the outlook among operators for 2023 isn't much better.  Just 20% of respondents said they think staffing challenges will improve next year, and another 20% say it will take until 2024 to see relief. Another 30% pit that target at 2025 or later.

The American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living has said that staff shortages plagued more than 95% of nursing homes and assisted living communities last year.