Many nursing homes in the country face deep uncertainty in the coming months even as the COVID-19 pandemic starts to wane, according to a survey released Wednesday by an industry organization. 

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living in a survey of 14,000 facilities across the country found only a quarter of the respondents are confident they can last a year or longer. 

At the same time, more than half of the nursing homes and nearly half of assisted living communities are operating at a loss. And nearly half of the facilities have had to make cuts this year due to the increase in expenses or a loss of revenue. 

The survey highlights the continued challenges facing nursing homes even as COVID-19 cases are on a decline in highly vaccinated areas. Nursing homes and other group settings were considered especially vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus. 

“Even though COVID cases in long-term care are at historic lows, providers are struggling to recover from the economic crisis the pandemic has induced. Too many facilities are operating under shoestring budgets simply because policymakers have failed to dedicate the proper resources, and this can have devastating consequences,” said Mark Parkinson, the group's president.

At issue are the expenses incurred by nursing homes because of the pandemic, with costs ranging from additional pay for staff, hiring new staff and paying for personal protective equipment. This year, 84% of nursing homes surveyed are losing revenue due to fewer patients coming inot the facilities from hospitals. 

The industry is now looking to help from Congress and from state lawmakers in the form of aid, resources and relief funds. 

“Lawmakers and public officials across the country must prioritize the residents and caregivers in our nursing homes and assisted living communities,” Parkinson said. “This starts by sending immediate resources through what remains of the Provider Relief Fund, and it continues by finally addressing the chronic underfunding of Medicaid, which only covers 70 to 80% of nursing home care. We have laid out key proposals in our Care For Our Seniors Act to transform America’s nursing homes, but without the help from Congress and state legislators, these necessary reforms will not be possible.”