Examining Temporary Agency Staff Use in Assisted Living

Purpose: Little is known about temporary agency staff (TAS) use in assisted living communities (ALCs) due to regulatory variation in state requirements. The current study compared TAS use in ALCs before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Method: Data were collected from a representative panel of the 2016 ( n = 239) and 2023 ( n = 298) waves of the Oregon Community-Based Care study. Results: Share of ALCs with any TAS use increased significantly between 2016 and 2023 (13.4% vs. 21.8%; p = .012). Most TAS were hired on a part-time basis (55% in 2016; 66% in 2023). We observed lower use of RNs and unlicensed direct care workers and higher use of licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants/medication aides in 2023 compared to 2016. Organizational characteristics were not significantly associated with ALC TAS use. Conclusion: A better understanding of how ALCs use TAS can inform policy debates around more stringent regulations for long-term care staffing.