Memory Care

Assisted living technicians and personal care assistants help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired and who are living in residential communities. They also help older adults who may need assistance to remain somewhat independent in independent living communities. They help with activities such as bathing, toileting, and dressing, and provide services such as light housekeeping, meal planning, and transportation. In some states, care assistants are able to assist residents with taking medication or check the resident’s vital signs under the direction of a nurse or other healthcare practitioner. Positions are in independent living communities, assisted living communities, and nursing homes. Individuals in these positions assist the resident in helping themselves with activities of daily living, ensure the resident is living in a safe and supportive environment, and provide companionship and family support; they do not provide direct medical care. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to explain factors related to physical, social, and psychological needs associated with older individuals, including those who are memory impaired.