Date of Award
5-2-2007
Degree Type
Closed Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Gerontology Institute
First Advisor
Dr. Mary Ball, PhD - Chair
Second Advisor
Dr. Jaye Atkinson, PhD
Third Advisor
Dr. Frank Whittington, PhD
Abstract
Within Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), high staff turnover and the foreseeable future shortage in the workforce population have created a growing urgency to increase the retention of workers in this field. This study examines the experiences of care workers in the dementia care units (DCUs) of ALFs. The specific aims are to learn: 1) what these workers find frustrating and satisfying about their job; and 2) what are the individual-level (e.g., race, education, employment history) and facility-level (e.g., size of unit, workload) factors that affect how they feel about their job. We used qualitative data from interviews with 45 staff and observations gathered in DCUs in five ALFs that varied in size, location, and race of staff. Findings show that workers' sources of dissatisfaction included heavy workloads, lack of teamwork, and residents' racist remarks and other problem behaviors. Positive relationships with residents were a primary source of satisfaction.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/1062187
Recommended Citation
Ross, April Dawn, "Caring for Residents with Dementia in Assisted Living Facilities: The Experiences of the Care Staff." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2007.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/1062187