Staffing and Caregivers in Senior Living: Ensuring Quality Senior Support

Are you looking for a fulfilling career where you can make a significant impact on the lives of others? Becoming a certified caregiver or joining the staff of a high-quality senior living community, like BridgeWater Assisted Living communities, provides many opportunities to improve the lives of senior residents and provide peace of mind to their families that their loved ones are thriving in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Having professional caregivers available to meet seniors’ varied physical, cognitive, and emotional needs is essential to ensuring seniors can thrive. Knowing what seniors need to live well and gaining the expertise to compassionately meet unique needs allows professional caregivers to help seniors maintain their independence and live life to the fullest. 

What types of professional caregiving roles are available in this field? The following overview discusses the most common senior living options, the different roles and responsibilities in various types of senior living, and educational and training requirements, including caregiver certification. 

Senior Living Options

Knowing a little about the most common types of senior living helps one better understand the roles of staff in different senior living communities. 

55+ Communities are also known as retirement communities, 55 and over neighborhoods, condos, or apartment buildings. They require at least one resident in the home to be age 55 or over. They are an excellent choice for active, independent seniors since they often feature shared amenities like swimming pools, exercise centers, golf courses, and planned social activities.

Independent Living is similar to 55+ communities. Residents are typically very active and able to care for themselves independently. They usually live in private apartments but can access shared amenities and common areas. In addition, housekeeping, meals, transportation, and social activities and classes might also be included.   

Assisted Living communities are an excellent option for seniors who require some assistance with activities of daily living because trained and professional staff are available to help with dressing, grooming, transferring, medication management, and more. Amenities vary but often include classes and activities, dining services, linen and cleaning services, and transportation. 

Memory Care communities provide a safe home with specialized care for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia or memory loss. Cognitive therapy and increased environmental and physical security measures make memory care communities the best choice for many families.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are a mix of many types of senior living communities in one location. Some of these places, including many of the BridgeWater Assisted Living communities, offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care options in the same location, which is ideal for long-term care. Residents never have to worry about having to find a new home or move if their health needs change in the future. 

In-Home Care is the choice for seniors who choose to age in place in their own homes or the homes of close family members. This option is usually best for healthy, active, independent seniors who require minimal assistance with activities like housekeeping, meals, and some medical care.   

Careers Available In Senior Living

Depending on the senior living option and the level of care residents need, several caregiving and staff roles are available as career paths. Although the following list is not exhaustive, it gives a good idea of the broad range of careers available in senior living.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Most assisted living, memory care, and continuing care communities employ RNs on staff to develop and coordinate medical care plans for residents. RNs can also administer medication, assess health needs, and provide overall healthcare for residents. 

To become an RN, you must complete an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination. Many different types of nursing programs exist, varying in length and curriculum.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Most CNAs work directly with seniors in assisted living, memory care, and continuing care communities, but some also provide in-home care. The daily duties of CNAs are varied but typically include:

• Assisting with activities of daily living like bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving
• Ensuring proper nutrition by helping with grocery shopping and cooking
• Lifting and moving patients 
• Monitoring vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and temperature and reporting any changes to an RN or other healthcare professional as appropriate
• Interacting with residents socially by accompanying them to activities and classes
• Liaising with family members to communicate about their loved one

Unlike RNs, CNAs only need a high school diploma or equivalent before seeking additional classroom and hands-on training. 

Home Health Aide

As the name suggests, home health aides work closely with seniors in their home setting, helping with personal care, housekeeping, cooking and preparing meals, and companionship.

Certification and training requirements for home health aides vary by state, but pursuing caregiver certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice is a great first step.

Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapists

Physical therapists work with seniors to improve balance, increase strength, and maintain mobility. Speech therapists provide support for communication issues. Occupational therapists focus on the physical abilities needed for activities of daily living and maintaining independence. These health professionals can serve in all types of senior living communities. 

The educational and training requirements for these types of therapists vary but are generally quite extensive.

Dietician/Nutritionist/Chef

Some senior living options offer meal services, dieticians, nutritionists, and chefs who support quality senior care by providing delicious, nutritious meals and education. Educational and training requirements for these positions vary widely.

Memory Care Specialists

In memory care communities, professional caregivers seek additional training specific to caring for residents with Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, or memory loss. Although there are many different paths to caregiver certification in this area, the National Council of Certified Dementia Care Practitioners is a widely recognized resource.  

Caregiver Certification

Whether you are a family member caring for a loved one or are interested in working in assisted living, memory care, or another type of senior living community, you can benefit from the additional training and expertise that comes with caregiver certification. The American Caregiver Association is the official accrediting organization for caregiving in the United States. It offers several training courses covering various helpful topics and nationally-recognized caregiver certification. A quick Google search and checking with local community colleges and the Red Cross can also help you find local resources.

Caregiving Is Personal At BridgeWater Assisted Living

Learn more about career opportunities at BridgeWater Assisted Living communities, including our CareWorks program that trains you for a rewarding career in long-term care. At BridgeWater, we believe having professional caregivers is vital to ensure a high quality of life for our residents. 

If you are looking for a supportive and caring community where your senior loved one can live the life they deserve, we would love you to consider one of our BridgeWater Assisted Living communities, where caregiving is personal.