As Baby Boomers Retire, Wisconsin Braces for Labor Shortages and Increased Healthcare Demand

Thursday, March 30th, 2023 -- 1:00 PM

(By Joe Schulz, Wisconsin Public Radio) As baby boomers continue to retire, Wisconsin hospitals are bracing for "rapidly increasing health care demand" that could exacerbate the industry's labor shortage for decades to come, according to a new report.

According to Joe Schulz with Wisconsin Public Radio, the Wisconsin Hospital Association released its 2023 workforce report Tuesday, its findings showing the impact of retirements on the health care industry is twofold, the wave of baby boomer retirements, known as the "Silver Tsunami," has contributed to the state's labor shortage while also increasing demand for care.

People over 65 years old make up about 20 percent of the population, but account for over 40 percent of health care usage. That demographic is expected to continue to grow, according to the report.

By 2030, one in five Americans will be at retirement age, along with roughly one in four Wisconsinites. That means the health care workforce needs to grow at an accelerated pace to keep up with increasing demand from the state’s aging population, the report said.

Pandemic-related burnout has also contributed to a rise in people leaving the industry, said Rudy Jackson, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for UW Health.

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