In 2023, 478,500 people were working in the assisted living sector. Discovery Village at Deerwood is one of 30,000 communities where these people work.
Assisted living staff are valuable because, unlike normal neighborhoods, residents depend more on them. Mailmen perform a vital service, but so do housekeepers. They clear obstacles so residents don't hurt themselves.
However, elder care professionals do more to make living in these establishments safe and comfortable. Read on as we discuss assisted living services and good senior care staff qualities below.
What Are Assisted Living Staff Duties?
Remember that assisted living isn't the same as a nursing home. Nursing homes monitor residents 24/7and high-level medical care.
Nursing homes are less like apartment complexes, and more like hospital-like. They're less residential because they're often for patients with poorer health than those in assisted living.
Nursing homes offer palliative care -- specialized care for pain and other symptom relief from serious illnesses. They offer mobility aid and nutritional services. Nursing homes also give:
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Occupational therapy
Why does this matter? Assisted living communities have a different focus. Some may offer certain therapies, but one thing they help residents with are activities of daily living or ADLs.
ADLs are what they sound like, everyday tasks like personal care -- bathing, grooming, toileting, etc. Older adults may have trouble with these because they aren't as flexible as they used to be.
Bending down and raising their arms can be hard and even painful. Here are the other ADL's elder care professionals may help with:
- Choosing, putting on, and taking off clothes
- Eating
- Mobility assistance
- Like walking or transferring from wheelchairs to beds
Medication Management
Medication management is when assisted living staff ensure residents take their medicines correctly and effectively. Not every assisted living community offers medication management.
Discovery Village caregivers confirm that patients take their medicines on time and in the right dosages. They check whether the prescribed drugs work and don't interfere with each other.
Monitoring Patient Health
Some communities have on-call nurses; for example, Discovery Village at Deerwood gives residents 24/7 access to a health agency. Even if they don't, staff working with residents are trained to monitor their health.
The staff also monitors boarders' well-being; they check whether they're happy, safe, and comfortable. Workers report any changes in a resident's physical, mental, and emotional health to the supervisor.
Providing Companionship and Emotional Support
Assisted living services require more than help with ADLs and medicine management. Part of the job is providing companionship to residents. Workers listen to their stories and play games with residents.
The assisted living team serves as friendly faces boarders can rely on. They encourage residents to socialize and participate in activities like art and exercise classes, book clubs, and neighborhood gatherings.
Communicate With Patients' Families
Assisted living staff members will speak with the residents' families to update them on how their loved ones are doing. They discuss how they fit in and if there are any changes in their health and well-being.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping is vital for assisted living staff because it aids boarders' safety and comfort. As mentioned earlier, housekeepers' jobs include clearing obstacles for residents -- trips and falls can lead to serious injuries.
They clean and disinfect tables and cabinets to prevent colds, the flu, COVID-19, and other viral illnesses from spreading. The housekeeping staff also cleans kitchen appliances, pantries, and cabinets.
Here's a list of what housekeepers do in assisted living communities:
- Clean and check ceiling fans, light fixtures, and sprinkler systems
- Check smoke alarms
- Change HVAC filters
- Clean air vents and grills
- Wipe down baseboards and walls
- Mop, sweep, and vacuum floors and carpets
- Check for leaks
- Check food for freshness and expiration dates
The housekeeping staff will report broken fixtures and leaks to the director. The director reaches out to their contractors to have these broken items repaired or replaced.
What Does Memory Care Staff Do?
Memory care is long-term care for people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Some communities don't offer memory care, but some of Discovery Village's caregivers have training to give this specialized care.
Memory care differs from assisted living services because skilled nurses check in with residents to provide structure and support. Memory care involves round-the-clock care, cognitive games, and therapies.
The goal is to keep people with dementia safe and cognitively engaged. People with memory issues tend to wander off, or "elope." Staff are trained to keep residents from doing this.
Cognitive games and therapies help improve short-term memory, mood, and self-esteem. Memory care staffers may play and oversee board and trivia games with patients.
Other helpful activities include gardening and exercise. The memory care team encourages these tasks to sharpen thinking speed, reduce depression, and encourage conversation.
What Are Necessary Senior Care Staff Qualities?
Working in an assisted living community isn't for everyone. Staff members need certain traits like patience. Working with older adults can be stressful and demanding.
Some residents may require more care and staff members must deal with them calmly and professionally. This occupation requires flexibility and being able to handle potential mood changes.
Assisted living staff members must be compassionate. They must care about the residents' well-being and health. Workers need empathy and should respect borders' dignity and autonomy.
Elder care professionals should be dedicated and communicative. Staff must be responsible and dependable. They should be willing to commit plenty of time to residents.
Workers should communicate with residents, their families, and other staff members. They must listen actively, speak clearly, report accurately, and use approachable body language.
Teamwork skills are also important. The assisted living staff should work together and respect each other.
Assisted Living Staff You Can Trust
Discovery Village at Deerwood offers retirement living, assisted living, and memory care in pet-friendly, and resort-style surroundings. We offer health and fitness programs, transport services, and professionally cooked meals.
More important than the surroundings and amenities is our assisted living staff. Discovery Village caretakers are reliable, friendly, supportive, and professional.
Our staff will ensure that you're comfortable and safe. Contact us to discuss residency or to book a tour, along with a complementary chef-prepared lunch.
