Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

Position Summary

The Personal Care Assistant (PCA) specializing in Memory & Behavioral Care provides compassionate, hands-on support to residents with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and behavioral health needs. This role assists residents with daily activities, promotes emotional and physical well-being, and helps maintain a safe, structured, and comforting environment tailored to individuals experiencing memory loss or behavioral challenges.

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Key responsibilities

• Resident care & daily living support
• Assist residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and mobility.
• Provide gentle cueing, redirection, and hands-on guidance to help residents complete tasks.
• Support residents with transfers, fall prevention, and safe ambulation.
• Ensure residents’ rooms and living spaces are clean, organized, and free from safety hazards.
• Assist with meal service, hydration, and nutritional support, following recommended dementia-friendly dining techniques.

• Memory & behavioral care responsibilities
• Use dementia-specific communication strategies, including validation, redirection, and calm, supportive approaches.
• Recognize and report behavioral changes such as agitation, wandering, pacing, sundowning, or withdrawal.
• Follow individualized behavior-support plans and implement non-pharmacological interventions.
• Help create a predictable routine that reduces confusion and promotes emotional stability.
• Use trauma-informed and de-escalation techniques to reduce stress or potential triggers.

• Observation & documentation
• Observe residents for changes in mood, health, behavior, or cognition and report promptly to nursing staff.
• Document care, behaviors, and resident interactions as required by facility policy.
• Assist with incident reporting and follow-up communication.

• Engagement & emotional support
• Provide companionship, meaningful engagement, sensory activities, and social interaction.