Caregiver/DCA

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.•Harrisonburg, VA

11d•$13 - $16

About The Position

The Caregiver/DCA provides dementia care to residents, including adapted activities of daily living, meaningful engagement, and communication, following person-centered individual service plans. The role treats residents with respect and dignity, recognizes individual needs, encourages independence, and fosters a purposeful and engaging community culture. Caregivers support residents with daily living activities and personal care, serve meals, encourage nutrition and hydration, lead engagement programs, maintain resident records, observe and report changes in residents’ physical or emotional condition, and help maintain a clean and safe environment. Depending on state regulations, the role may also assist with medications. Caregivers respond to resident requests and emergencies, monitor residents’ whereabouts, and work cooperatively with colleagues. Duties may include other tasks assigned by a supervisor. The position requires basic skills and the ability to follow written or verbal instructions, communicate effectively in English with residents, families, and associates, and use good judgment in emergencies while seeking assistance when needed. The work may involve occasional travel, on-call duties, and occasional weekend, evening, or night work to ensure shift coverage. Physical demands include standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Working conditions may include exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, latex, drugs, chemicals, biological hazards, and risks of injury.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to communicate effectively in English with residents, family members, and company associates.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos, and to write simple correspondence.
Ability to follow written or verbal instructions, apply common sense, and use good judgment in emergencies.
Knowledge of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
May need current state certification and must follow applicable regulations to maintain certification.
Must meet state-specific qualifications and regulations for medication assistance and direct care duties.

Nice To Haves

Three to six months of related experience and/or training in direct service with older adults living with dementia, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Assist residents with care-plan activities and daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and traveling to programs and meals, while encouraging independence.
Participate in team behavioral expression meetings or discussions with community leadership.
Learn and respect residents’ life stories, preferences, historical routines, and interests.
Serve meals and, when needed, assist with meal preparation using preplanned dementia-friendly menus; encourage residents to eat and drink adequately, and report changes in eating habits.
Initiate or lead at least one Daily Path engagement program and encourage residents to socialize and participate in person-centered activities.
Maintain residents’ records daily and promptly report changes in residents’ physical condition or behavior, along with relevant observations and incidents.
When permitted by state regulations, assist with or administer medications in accordance with physician orders, state laws, and company procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly environment, including completing housekeeping and laundry tasks according to schedules.
Follow emergency procedures and respond promptly to residents’ requests for assistance, including emergency pull cords and telephone calls.
Monitor residents’ locations and immediately notify a supervisor if a resident cannot be located.
Encourage teamwork through cooperative interactions with co-workers.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to employment-status eligibility.
401(k) program.
Associate assistance program.
Employee discounts.
Referral program.
Early access to earned wages for hourly associates outside California.
Optional voluntary benefits, including identity theft protection and pet insurance.
For eligible full-time associates: paid time off and paid holidays.
For eligible full-time associates: company-provided life insurance and optional life and dependent life insurance.
For eligible full-time associates: adoption benefit.
For eligible full-time associates: short- and long-term disability.
For eligible full-time associates: Flexible Spending Accounts and a Health Savings Account.
For eligible full-time associates: optional accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, and legal plan.
For eligible full-time associates: tuition reimbursement.
Qualified associates who have been with the company for at least one year may receive an advance of up to $725, less applicable taxes and withholding, for naturalization application costs.