Direct Care Staff Experiences in Oregon Assisted Living, Residential Care and Memory Care Communities, 2022
Report
February 1, 2023
This report describes a research study undertaken in Oregon on the experiences of resident care assistants during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their work impacted their well-being and work lives. Study authors interviewed residential care assistants and “external colleagues,” such as residential care managers, registered nurse consultants, staffing agency employees, state policy staff, and other key parties in focus groups and individual interviews. The external colleagues shared their perspectives on helpful policy and administrative practices that would help attract and retain residential care assistants at facilities. To view the original source, click here.
Key Takeaways
Residential care assistants found many ways to support themselves and each other while doing emotionally difficult work during the pandemic in the face of staffing shortages and uncertainty about COVID-19.
Administrators at residential care facilities face difficult regulations that make recruitment and retention of staff challenging. This was particularly pronounced during the pandemic.
Innovative and creative solutions could help address staffing shortages and improve working conditions in assisted living and residental care for workers.
