It turns out that assisted living residents may not be as focused on having a “homelike” setting as we all think, according to recent research from St. Catherine University. The author of the study, Courtney J. Wright, said that residents weren’t interested in their community trying to replicate a homelike feel. Few had personal items from their own homes, and those that did had gotten them from family members. The component that they said made them feel safe? Staff involvement.
You got it - caregivers who respect residents, know their names, and interact with them on a daily basis made them feel most at home in their communities. These residents who were interviewed even told stories about how certain employees had taken time to get to know them and their preferences, and it stuck with them: the “little things” like knowing that Mrs. Smith likes a bigger glass of milk with dinner, or taking the time to sit with Mrs. Jones when she was having a rough day, make for a better experience.
Assisted living communities can help foster these resident-caregiver relationships that clearly are important. A consistent staffing model means that residents know who is going to take care of them! Consistent assignment has many benefits including better care for residents, fewer employee call-offs, and improved job satisfaction. And when creating new staffing plans, keep both residents and caregivers in mind. Some personalities may gel better than others, so don’t be afraid to make some changes along the way. Once you find the perfect caregiver-resident match, residents will thank you.