Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village chief executive Denise Hooper said staffing for a regional area is a struggle.

"Our ability to attract a suitable workforce with the required skills and experience to ensure the continuity of high-level quality care is a challenge at the best of times," she said.

"But we don't have a staff shortage even though things are tight at present. It's a common problem throughout the whole aged care sector at a national level."

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Ms Hooper said getting the staff is a problem they cannot prepare for.

"We cannot just pluck staff out of the air," she said.

"Very early on in the pandemic, we approached our local MP, Dr Anne Webster, to ask for assistance, and she raised it with the Federal Minister, Andrew Colbeck. "We've even approached the Army, but getting their help would require a signature from the Governor-General.

"With more than 500 aged care facilities nationally in lockdown it's obvious that hundreds of staff across the country are on furlough or isolation so we're not alone. One thing we're actively looking at is recruiting retired staff to come and help out, at least in the short term."

Acting Director of Aged Services Natalie Ladner for Wimmera Nursing Home said they had the same issues.

"Similar to health facilities across the region there is general concern around maintaining appropriate team member numbers in light of the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases," she said.

"It is a priority for us to safely staff Residential Aged Care in line with infection control advice and the current COVID-19 recommendations.

"To prepare for and manage shortages we have recently employed both permanent and casual team members into Residential Aged Care and have available team members from various roles to assist with maintaining safe staff-to-resident ratios. These team members all have a nursing or health background."

At Sunnyside, Ms Hooper said the shortage of staff along with several staff on furlough means they are stretched to their limits.

"We have very few casual staff to call upon," she said.

"If this continues we will need to ask our existing staff to consider working double shifts in order to provide the required standard of care."

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Ms Hooper said residents are still getting the same level of care they always have.

"We are very fortunate to have very committed caring staff who go above and beyond to try and meet the needs of our residents," she said.

"The COVID pandemic has really taken a toll on these dedicated staff. Working in full PPE is very challenging.

"I really cannot express enough my thanks to all of our staff during this difficult time. They are absolute champions, but they are becoming very tired champions."

At Wimmera Nursing Home, they have also been working hard to maintain standards for residents.

"At times there may be some nurses working overtime or doing extra short shifts to maintain safe ratios," Ms Ladner said.

"Currently we are managing the impact and any future impact is more likely to be seen in middle management and portfolio roles."

Ms Ladner said it's taking its toll on staff, but they are working together to support one another.

"There are plans for 12 hour rosters if we are impacted by further reduced staff numbers," she said.

"We are monitoring the well-being of the team and the residents as we navigate through these issues."

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