Staffing a Memory Care Facility with Facility Staff vs Using Agency Temps

Author

Jaxpointe at Allison Ct Memory Care Home

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Jaxpointe

Posted on

May 17, 2023

Book/Edition

Colorado - Denver Metro

Seniors that have developed a cognition deficit and are requiring care in a Memory care facility enjoy a higher quality of life with a well-trained, consistent staffing team that they have come to trust and depend on.  Memory care residents are generally scared and feeling vulnerable. Seeing familiar faces and seeing them regularly is critical for the resident with cognition challenges. 

Recent developments in healthcare staffing have created a shift in using all company employed staff to using a portion of company staff and the rest temporary agency supplied staff.  This is a result of staffing shortages at facilities. Many workers have left the healthcare field during Covid and are not returning. Also, facilities are trying to adjust the staffing levels due to labor cost pressures and still meet the minimum requirements of caring for seniors. 

This change in staffing strategy creates several challenges when it comes to caring for a senior in a memory care setting: fear of unknown people, constant new faces, lack of continuity of care, distrust, anger, and potentially behaviors and refusal to cooperate.  The staff are not typically tuned in to the needs of the senior or what is most effective care for each resident due to a lack of experience with this resident and often a lack of time to invest in reading progress notes and care plans for each resident.  Often, they are assigned for a day or two and then on to the next assignment.  

If trust between staff and residents is not established, residents can feel that they are abandoned by their family, a burden to people and may shut down and pass away.  Facility medical providers may start trying to address a difficult resident with care plan changes and increased medications which could lead to a decrease in quality of life.   

Make sure that when you search for a “facility” to care for your loved one, that you select one where the staff is handling an appropriate number of people on their shift, 4-6 during the day and 7-8 during the overnight (awake staff), and that the staff works for the facility, and has been and will be in place for a long period of time. 

 

 

Editor‘s Note: This article was submitted by Russ Udelhofen Administrator of Jaxpointe Assisted Living Memory Care Homes in Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood & Golden. He may be reached at  303-420-5590 or by email: info@jaxpointe.com

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Local Services By This Author

Jaxpointe at Allison Ct Memory Care Home

Memory Care 3525 Allison Court, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80033

Jaxpointe is a residential assisted living home entering its 14th year of caring for individuals with memory loss including Alzheimer's, dementia, strokes, and Parkinson's. Eight residents are cared for by 2 daytime and 1 awake night caregivers providing a safe and secure environment. Incredibly affordable all-inclusive pricing, great activities, outings, fun and so much love...