If you are struggling to find temporary caregivers, medication aides, and nurses, consider a new free app. KARE says it is the first labor marketplace dedicated solely to the senior housing and post-acute industry. 

Not a staffing agency, KARE matches independent contractors with assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute-care hospitals, hospice, and home health providers. The hiring company sets hours and pay. KARE recently announced its communities have posted more than 2,020 shifts since its October launch. 

KARE contractors, or "heroes," must have a healthcare license in good standing with the state. All applicants must pass a background check, drug screening, and a brief interview with KARE to be listed. 

The KARE website suggests these benefits to communities:

• Eliminate the need for costly staffing agencies.
• Reduce hiring time from 49 days to just a few days.
•  Virtually eliminate overtime, saving facilities $3,000 - $5,000/month.
• Increase caregivers' access to additional income.
• Give caregivers more autonomy over their own schedule. 

A recent Senior Housing News article noted that KARE CEO Charles Turner, a former president of PinPoint Senior Living, brings experience with a similar app. Turner has consulted to and had an ownership interest in NurseDash, an app that matches hospitals and senior living providers with clinicians for temporary shifts. Turner is also founder and CEO of Invidia for Seniors, a KARE partner, which invests in improving seniors’ housing through community development and using technology to better operations.