Seeing the Complex Person Within: Changing Caregiver Perceptions of Memory Care Residents

Abstract

I spent 42 hours as a volunteer visitor with memory care assisted living at The Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, WI. I took detailed notes on my observations and interactions with caregivers and staff. This led me to the question, "How can we improve the quality of life of memory care residents?" From my secondary research, along with my observations from my time as a volunteer, I arrived at four recommendations for memory care assisted living facilities. These recommendations should be investigated further through more quantitative means to measure their efficacy.