Seniors For Living

When you choose assisted living, you become part of a community that is specifically designed to care for you as your needs change. While each assisted living community is unique, most employ the following:

• Executive Director/Administrator – oversees the operations of the community and the management team (marketing director, human resources director, etc.).
• Director of Nursing – manages the facility’s health care team and works with families/individuals to create/update the care plan for each resident.
• Nurses (RNs, LPNS) – on duty during all shifts to administer medications and be available for emergencies/other medical needs.
• CNAs (Certified Nurses’ Aides) & Nursing Assistants – provide assistance with daily care (bathing, dressing, grooming), ADLs/IADLs (activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living).
• Activities Director – oversees & executes events/activity planning for the community.
• Transportation Staff – gets residents from point A to point B – be it the doctor’s office or the grocery store.
• Dining Services Director/Staff – plan, prepare and serve meals daily.
• Housekeeping Services Director/Staff – clean residents’ rooms, linens, and laundry, as well as community common areas.
• Maintenance Director/Staff – oversees “plant operations” and ensures the facility/equipment is safe and in working order.
• Receptionist/Concierge – does much more than simply answer the phone. This integral team member is the hub: a security checkpoint, scheduling wizard, sounding board, mail/deliveries liaison, welcoming committee chairperson, and then some.

Of course, there are a host of other volunteers and ancillary staff members (such as chaplains, social workers, volunteer coordinators, therapists, etc.) who contribute to the day-to-day operations of assisted living communities. Be sure to ask questions about who will be caring for you when you consider a move to assisted living.

- Michelle Seitzer