Nursing Home Closures Did Not Increase In 2020 & 2021, Despite Financial Challenges Caused By COVID-19

Despite financial challenges caused by COVID-19, nursing home closures did not significantly increase in 2020 (when 0.86% of nursing homes closed) and 2021 (0.94% of nursing homes closed). There are several explanations for the absence of additional closures during 2020 and 2021, including the use of strategies to mitigate staffing shortages, including freezing admissions and closing portions of facilities; and accessing federal and state financial assistance that was provided to nursing homes.

From 2020 to 2021, closure rates were highest in New Mexico (5.6%), Washington (4.4%), and both Wisconsin and Delaware (4.3%). Six states . . .