Memory Care Activity Aide

JOB SUMMARY

• The Memory Care Aide assists the Memory Care Assistant Director in providing a holistic, therapeutic, person-centered Memory Care Program on the Memory Care Unit. The Memory Care Aide will achieve and maintain the highest quality of life for each resident with a diagnosis of a disease that causes dementia residing in or under the care of the facility. Additionally, the Memory Care Aide will continuously provide the evidenced-based, therapeutic programs and activities that the memory care residents engage in daily.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have at least one year of experience in the healthcare field either working or volunteering.
• Have at least three months of experience engaging with persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Must have the sincere desire to work with the memory care population.
• Have confidence to effectively express the Memory Care Program to the community, other health care professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, any other provider or professional in the community and potential families and residents.
• Possess confidence and the ability to apply that knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• Have the willingness to continuously learn about the disease process of dementia.
• Possess the ability to utilize therapeutic approaches effective with the dementia population on an ongoing basis.
• Have the ability to make independent decisions in the best interest of residents, staff, and families.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself.
• Have knowledge and the ability to deliver effective memory care programming on the unit.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the willingness to drive the Alden bus for outings, etc.; and
• Must be able to read, write and speak in English.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, family members, personnel, and support.
• Must be in good health.
• Must be able to relate and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
• Must be able to handle the emotional complexities of the disease process of dementia and end-of life experiences.
• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture; and
• Is aware of being subjected to exposure of infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Commit to continued growth as a knowledgeable and experienced healthcare provider in the area of Alzheimer’s dementia and other diseases that cause dementia.
• Commit to obtaining at least 12 hours of continual education annually for self, including the required 16 hours of orientation training and any other ongoing dementia care specific trainings for direct care staff.
• Assist in conducting initial and all on-going comprehensive activity assessments and MDS/CAA assessments, including, but not limited to, the following areas: social, spiritual, level of functioning, communication, activity/leisure, amongst others. The information gathered will be used to create a holistic, therapeutic, person-centered memory care program.
• Assess, create, implement, and maintain any communication needs of residents, such as language services, communication boards, assistive devices, etc. Educate residents, family and staff utilizing these mechanisms to provide ample communication.
• Become knowledgeable of each individual resident’s background, life history, disease, medical and behavioral care needs, and preferences in detail to develop and ensure an appropriate person-centered plan of care.
• Assist in providing a therapeutic, person-centered memory care activity program that constantly strives to enhance the quality of life of each resident, meets the Memory Care Program Mission and Philosophy, and upholds the Memory Care policies and procedures and all state and federal standards. Provide both group and 1:1 activity programming.
• Complete all required activity participation documentation.
• Encourage family involvement through volunteering and visitation.
• Participate in monthly Family Council Meetings as appropriate. Follow-up timely on any concerns brought forth.
• Provide a clean, safe, non-hazardous unit for the residents and staff.
• Assist in providing an individualized symptom management tracking system as needed per resident, including development and maintenance of individualized, non-pharmacological interventions implemented.
• Assist in providing psycho-social programming in conjunction with the Memory Care group and 1:1 programming, as assessed as appropriate for residents.
• Assist with involvement in Accidents and Incidents process, in conjunction with the inter-disciplinary team to determine root cause, develop processes, and/or develop care plans that will decrease accident/incident occurrences.
• Complete all required documentation.
• Maintain all program policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
• Provide feedback to the Memory Care Director for monitoring achievement of the facility and Memory Care Program goals through a team approach.
• Be flexible to meet the change in residents’ needs. We need to adapt to their needs rather than expecting them to adapt to our needs.
• Provide emotional, caring support to residents, families, and the inter-disciplinary team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.