Important Roles Played by a Nurse in an Assisted Living Centre

Many adults need some support as they transition into a new phase of life after retirement and acquire the seniority status. They are likely to require assistance in their daily activities and for better managing the prevailing health conditions. This is particularly important for seniors who are fairly aged or suffer from disabilities. Hence, caregiving assumes an important dimension in the lives of such individuals irrespective of whether they dwell in senior independent living homes or elderly care centres like assisted living facilities.

Fortunately, facilities at senior living homes and assisted living are so designed to support such challenging needs. A team of health professionals are available to provide 24/7 supervision and monitor the health of residents closely. Those elderly residents who have chronic ailments, memory difficulties or mental problems can also avail the services of a caretaker in assisted living.

The caretakers may assume multiple roles depending on the specific needs of the seniors. One such important role is that of nurses who are usually equipped in specialized areas as geriatric nursing or pain management. However, the tasks performed by them in assisted living centres may be different from the typical hospital or nursing home setup. Let us understand the role played by them and also explore the relevant skillset required for accomplishing it.

Role of Nurses in Assisted Living
Skilled nurses are involved in the following roles of caretaking in assisted living facilities:

• Assistance in personal care activities - Seniors with impairments, mobility constraints and other health issues are assisted in self-grooming and personal care activities like brushing, bathing, combing and dressing.
• Managing the medication schedules - Nurses take care of elderly residents by taking charge of their medication regimes by administering, supervising and monitoring them. This role also ensures that elders do not resort to over medication and drug abuse as it can cause dangerous consequences. They are also involved in pain management to help patients suffering from fractures, wounds and bone disorders like arthritis. This is done with the objective of minimizing the impact of the discomfort caused and preventing the disruption of normal routines.
• Handling memory problems and mental illnesses - Elderly patients with mental ailments like Alzheimer’s and dementia need substantial assistance for certain activities like meal consumption and socialization programmes. Nurses can support them in these tasks and also provide psychiatric care to handle more serious problems like loss of memory and cognition.
• Encouraging general wellness and physical activity - In order to improve the overall well-being and fitness of seniors, nurses can assist them in creating a personalized exercise itinerary. they also help the residents in undergoing physical therapies and rehabilitation remedies as prescribed by the doctors and therapists.
• Communicating with family members - Family members are periodically communicated about the health status, evolving needs and areas of concern of elderly residents. Nurses regularly correspond to update them with this vital information and also keep them informed in case of medical emergencies. They also warn family members proactively if they foresee any health issues or mental disturbances in the senior residents.

Skillsets Required for Nurses
Since nurses attend to the long-term care needs of the geriatric population, their soft skills play a vital role in discharging their duties successfully. Therefore critical thinking with pragmatic approaches and excellent communication skills are important. Emotional intelligence is equally vital as they may have to handle complex interactions with the residents and their families. Another essential skill is that of problem-solving. That is because the nurses may have to develop a different approach to caretaking if their current strategies are not working well or seniors are unable to cope up. Besides, they have to possess adequate patience, empathy and compassion for dealing with elders with chronic pain or mental problems. This skill helps nurses to be calmer in stressful situations and better comprehend the challenges of elders in their day-to-day lives.

Thus, nurses of assisted living centres play a crucial multifaceted role in geriatric care.