Building Resilience in Memory Care: Leadership Strategies that Strengthen Teams

Memory care staff encounter significant stress, challenges, and setbacks every day. When staff are resilient — able to cope effectively and bounce back — they help create a stronger, more positive workforce. Building this resilience requires both essential skills and consistent support and guidance from supervisors and leaders. By intentionally cultivating a resilient memory care team, programs can reduce turnover, improve adaptability, and save time and resources otherwise spent on recruiting, hiring, and training. Ultimately, a more resilient staff delivers better quality care for residents.

The Unique Resilience Challenges in Memory Care Settings

Staff in memory care programs face unique challenges, many of which stem from the significant changes residents experience. “Residents living with dementia often experience a range of changes, including vision impairment, loss of language skills, physical decline, and unexpected emotions,” says Kaye-Edwards Lewis, director of Cohen-Rosen House, Charles E. Smith Life Communities’ memory care residence. “Supporting residents through these moments requires associates’ empathy and patience, but it can also take a toll over time.”

Lewis highlights the fact that stress can negatively impact an employee’s emotional and mental well-being. Too much stress may cause employees to worry excessively. They may become irritable and have difficulty concentrating, all of which can impact their performance on the job and their ability to work together with other staff.  

Strategies to Build a Resilient Team

Employee resiliency begins with a healthy workplace culture. Staff need to feel supported, heard, and valued. “It’s critical that leaders focus on authentic communication, encourage real connection among coworkers, and ensure everyone feels safe and empowered to speak up,” says Lewis.

She also recommends that leaders foster a healthy workplace by establishing clear core values. They should promote open dialogue among staff, and work to create a supportive environment where staff well-being and work-life balance are valued and prioritized. “Lead by example, provide regular feedback, build trust and psychological safety, and provide resources for professional growth,” Lewis recommends.

Beyond creating a healthy workplace, leaders can build resilient teams by providing staff with training that can boost their confidence and well-being. Flexible scheduling and work-life balance initiatives can help staff manage their work commitments while having plenty of time to relieve stress outside of the workplace. Lewis recommends that senior care leaders create opportunities for staff to receive personal and peer-to-peer support, and recognize and value staff contributions.

Strategies to Support Collaboration Among Staff

Strong collaboration among memory care staff has many benefits. “Collaboration drives innovation and creativity, improves problem-solving, boosts productivity and efficiency, fosters a positive work environment with better communication and morale, and enhances adaptability by facilitating knowledge sharing and skill development,” explains Lewis.

Senior care leaders can foster collaboration by encouraging active listening and creating opportunities for open communication. Regular check-ins and team-building activities help strengthen trust and understanding among staff. Leaders can also promote knowledge-sharing and provide training that equips team members with the skills they need to work together effectively.

How to Monitor for Staff Burnout

Building a resilient memory care team can reduce the risk of staff burnout, but leaders must still closely monitor staff well-being and watch for signs that additional support may be needed. According to Lewis, burnout may show up in several different ways. Some staff may display chronic exhaustion or decreased motivation and productivity. Staff who are experiencing burnout may withdraw from their teams, or may be unusually absent from work.

To recognize these signs, leaders must stay actively engaged with their teams. They should watch for changes in behavior or performance and offer regular one-on-one conversations. Creating a supportive environment where staff feel comfortable discussing their feelings is essential. When an employee shows signs of burnout, leaders must be ready to provide additional support and help connect them with resources that address the root causes of their stress.

The Value of Building Resilient Memory Care Teams

Senior care is a demanding profession, and memory care teams face especially complex challenges. While many caregivers are driven by a deep commitment to their work, the emotional and physical demands can take a significant toll. By intentionally building resilient memory care teams, leaders can support staff in delivering the highest quality care while maintaining strong morale. The investment in fostering resilience ultimately pays off by creating a healthier, more engaged workforce that positively influences residents’ lives and overall well-being.

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.