The Work of Caring: Discover McKinley Care's Assisted Living Excellence

A celebration of the people who make careers out of caring for others 

Care /ker/: The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.

Most of us have memories of being cared for by someone: a parent or grandparent, perhaps, or maybe a friend. The comfort in knowing that our physical and emotional needs were met at a critical time is important, and, in some cases, essential to our health and well-being. 

The caregiving team at McKinley Care Assisted Living takes its job very seriously, and every member is dedicated to taking care of the little and big parts of residents’ everyday lives. What are those things? The list is long, for sure, but it’s all broken down below. 

The ‘assisted living’ definition

First, it’s important to understand what the phrase ‘assisted living’ really means. Created in the 1980s to fill the gap between independent living and nursing home care, assisted living offers 24/7 supervision and physical care for those who may not be able to live in their own homes, but still don’t require the levels of care found in a skilled nursing facility. McKinley Care is just such a community, ready to support and supervise residents at all times of the day and night. 

Activities of Daily Living

Often called “ADLs”, these tasks are the ones most of us take for granted, but are usually the first overlooked when we are not feeling well or have limited mobility. Bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, or fixing healthy meals all fall under the ADL umbrella. Every resident receives an assessment when they move into McKinley Care, and a plan of care is created to best help that person maintain the independence they wish, with the caregiving required for health and safety. 

Medication management

Modern medicine is wonderful, and to keep illnesses or injuries stable, treatments may be prescribed that can be difficult to navigate if one is frail or suffering from confusion. The caregiving staff at McKinley Care can monitor safe and timely medication administration, plus communicate with a resident’s doctor should any changes be required. 

Meals and snacks

Food is the fuel for our bodies, but for many older people, getting to the grocery store, then preparing a meal, can be a challenge, even with the advent of grocery delivery and pre-made foods. The chef and kitchen staff at McKinley Care Assisted Living ensure three balanced meals every day, plus extra snacks. The monthly menu is posted on our website each month, and is always posted throughout the common areas, but special diets and preferences are definitely taken into consideration. And, on special occasions, like holidays, birthdays, or friend or family gatherings, McKinley Care’s chef is on hand to help make a meal truly memorable. 

Care plan reviews

Every 90 days, residents, their family or care coordinator, and the nurse management team get together and discuss everything mentioned in the plan of care. This is the time to ask questions, make changes, and level up or down the amount of care a resident may require, or desire. 

What sorts of training are caregivers required to have? Each state has its own list of experience and education for caregivers, ranging from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification courses to Registered Nurses (RNs) on-site. In Alaska, the following are required, depending upon the individual’s position: 

- caregiver training (12 hours annually)

- CPR/first aid certification, and abuse recognition training

- administrator training (12 hours annually)

- disaster plan training

- medication management training (for appropriate staff) 

Nursing positions require licensing and years of training, sometimes at a four-year college, sometimes at two-year institutions, depending on the area of study and the level of nursing care involved. 

Every day at McKinley Care Assisted Living, an entire team of people is on hand to help residents safe, comfortable, and as independent as possible. It’s important to note that this looks different for every resident, as individual needs ebb and flow over time. 

Have questions about caregiving roles at McKinley Care, or need additional information about our community? Please contact our team at welcome@McKinley.care or by phone at (907) 268-6576.