Policy Initiatives Regarding the Long-Term Care Immigrant Workforce and Worker Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Immigrants have long been considered a solution to workforce shortages in long-term care (LTC) settings. However, there is limited knowledge on policy initiatives that may support the LTC immigrant workforce. A review of the literature was conducted to examine how LTC policy initiatives influence recruitment, retention, protection, or well-being outcomes of the LTC immigrant workforce.

A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews frameworks was conducted.

Studies that focused on national, local, or organizational policy initiatives related to the LTC immigrant workforce and/or their well-being outcomes were included.

This was a comprehensive literature search with tailored searches of the following 5 databases between 2010 and 2024: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ABI/INFORM, PAIS Index, and Web of Science.

Of 1551 identified records, 37 articles met inclusion criteria. The findings indicate a paucity of policy initiatives aimed at protecting and supporting immigrants in LTC settings. There is an urgent need to improve working conditions and organizational practices because these factors may have significant implications for the well-being outcomes of immigrant workers.

This scoping review explores how national, local, and organizational policies influence the retention and protection of immigrant workers in LTC settings. We identified inclusive and exclusive policy initiatives and their potential impacts on employment and well-being outcomes for immigrant LTC workers, offering insights to inform policy development amid ongoing immigration debates and workforce shortages.