HJAR Mar/Apr 2026

CARING TOGETHER 24 MAR / APR 2026 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS By the Numbers Arkansas has 220 certified nursing homes serving approximately 14,900 residents. 5 These figures represent nursing homes only and do not include residents in assisted living facilities or ARCHs, where staffing needs add further to the workforce challenge. Even though only 4% to 5% of older adults live in nursing homes on a given day, the absolute numbers are large, and current staffing levels fall short — especially when assisted living and ARCHs are considered as well. Why Turnover Is So High Through visits with residents and staff, I often hear the same com- plaint: “not enough CNAs.” The root causes are clear: • Low pay; • Few, if any, benefits; • Little incentive to stay; • Low perception of their role; • No career path or advancement support; and • Lack of childcare, transportation, or housing. Ms. Clara and the New Preceptor Ms. Clara, a new CNA, felt the weight of it all. By her third week she was bone-tired. Double shifts meant sometimes skipping meals. Residents sometimes lashed out in anger or confusion. Her paycheck barely covered rent. She wondered if she had chosen the wrong job path. Then she was paired with Mr. James, a seasoned CNA trained as a preceptor (a mentor who coaches and supports new CNAs) through the National Association of Health CareAssistants (NAHCA) program. 6 “Remember to smile,” he said, “because sometimes that’s what keeps others — and you — going.” Ms. Clara noticed how a resident’s face lit up when Mr. James teased him about his favorite football team. That moment of laughter encouraged her more than any manual. She decided to stay, encour- aged enough to give it a go. A week later, Ms. Clara found herself helping a resident who grew impatient while waiting to be taken to lunch. Remembering Mr. James’s advice, she grinned and said, “If I don’t get you to the dining room soon, they’ll send a search party for both of us.” The resident chuckled, and soon they were laughing together as they headed down the hall. That moment of shared humor reminded Ms. Clara that small acts of kindness could transform tension into trust. It gave her con- fidence to keep going — not just surviving the workday, but finding meaning in it. “Beyond healthcare resources, neighborhoods are increasingly recognized as vital partners in supporting older adults and strengthening the broader workforce of care.”