Stress and Strain Among Personal Care Assistants at an Assisted Living Facility

SUMMARY

Personal care assistants at assisted living facilities are responsible for providing residents with a variety of services including personal care, housekeeping, laundry, meal service, and activity programming. Staff often perform these responsibilities with limited training and education while under the burden of heavy workloads. This paper explores the stress and strain experienced by personal care assistants at one assisted living facility. Particular attention is given to the difference between the stress and strain experienced by personal care assistants caring for people with dementia compared to those that work with people who do not suffer from a memory related disorder. Findings reveal staff caring for people with dementia experience more stress in the area of work constraints and interpersonal conflict at work. Differences between the stress and strain of personal care assistants surveyed and the norms found among employees at other workplaces are also discussed.

Key Words:

• Personal care assistants
• interpersonal conflict
• elderly
• stress
• dementia