If you’re considering a career as a senior care partner, you’re likely drawn to the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
Being a care partner is much more than a job—it’s a calling that requires compassion, patience, and dedication.
Every day presents an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, offer comfort, and enhance the quality of life for older adults.
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your career or considering a transition from another field, senior living offers a variety of roles that cater to different skill sets and levels of experience.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
What is a senior care partner?
Being a care partner in senior living communities such as The Kensington Redondo Beach involves supporting residents’ daily activities while providing medical, emotional, and social care.
These communities are not just places for seniors to live but environments where residents can thrive, feel secure, and maintain dignity.
As a care partner, your role will be crucial in helping residents with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, eating, and mobility while providing companionship and emotional support.
Senior living care teams typically include a range of professionals who work together to ensure residents receive comprehensive, personalized care.
Each has different responsibilities, but all work toward the same goal: supporting the well-being of the residents.
Different types of caregiving roles
Understanding the difference between caregiving roles can help you decide where and where to start.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Care Partners
Certified Nursing Assistants, called Care Partners at The Kensington Redondo Beach, play a vital role in the day-to-day care of residents.
CNAs provide hands-on assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. They also help with mobility and ensure residents maintain as much independence as possible.
A CNA’s role goes beyond the physical tasks; they often develop close relationships with the residents.
CNAs become trusted companions when they spend so much time with residents, offering emotional support and comfort.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building personal connections and has a natural ability to care for others.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LVNs)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LVNs) are responsible for more medically oriented tasks than CNAs.
LPNs provide primary medical care, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, dressing wounds, and assisting with medical procedures.
They also supervise CNAs, ensuring that residents are receiving appropriate care.
LPNs often serve as the bridge between CNAs and RNs, taking on more complex tasks but working closely with both groups to provide holistic care.
The LPN role is ideal for those who want to balance direct patient care and medical responsibilities.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
Registered Nurses (RNs) are the highest level of nursing within the senior living caregiving team.
They oversee residents’ medical care, create care plans, conduct health assessments, and coordinate care with doctors and specialists.
RNs also educate residents and families about health conditions, medications, and treatment plans.
While RNs may not spend as much time providing hands-on care as CNAs or LVNs, their role is vital in ensuring the health and safety of residents.
They often serve in leadership roles, managing the entire caregiving team and ensuring that care standards are being met.
How do you begin your journey as a senior care partner?
If you’re new to caregiving, the first step is to decide which role best suits your skills and career aspirations.
Here’s how you can start your journey in each key role.
Start as a CNA: Getting your certification
To start, you must complete a CNA training program offered at community colleges, healthcare facilities, and online. After training, you’ll need to pass a state-specific certification exam.
Starting as a CNA is a great way to gain hands-on experience with residents and decide if you want to pursue further training to become an LVN or RN.
The CNA role is perfect if you’re eager to start with direct care and build relationships with residents immediately.
Pursue an LVN program
If you’re interested in taking on more responsibility and learning more about the medical side of caregiving, becoming an LVN could be the right path.
LVN programs typically take about a year to complete, offering classroom education and hands-on clinical experience.
Once you complete the program, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed.
As an LPN, you’ll have a broader scope of practice than a CNA, including administering medications and performing medical tasks while working closely with residents.
Becoming an RN
If you’re passionate about healthcare and want to take on a leadership role, becoming an RN is a highly rewarding option.
RNs require extensive training, but the opportunities range from managing care teams to providing specialized care for residents with complex medical needs.
To become an RN, you must complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Many senior living communities support their team members who pursue further education, offering tuition assistance or flexible schedules to help balance work and study.
Where to begin a career as a senior care partner
Working in senior living isn’t just about providing care; it’s about creating a warm, welcoming environment where residents can feel at home.
At The Kensington Redondo Beach, care partners are part of a close-knit community where residents are treated like family.
Providing care here isn’t just about completing tasks—it’s about truly engaging with the residents, learning their stories, and creating moments of joy each day.
Whether helping someone take a walk, assisting with their daily routine, or simply sitting with them during a meal, caregiving in senior living allows you to make a meaningful impact in someone’s life.
The rewards of being a care partner at The Kensington Redondo Beach
Becoming a care partner in senior living is more than a job—it’s a way to contribute to seniors’ health, happiness, and dignity.
If you’re ready to begin your caregiving journey, now is the perfect time to explore senior living opportunities.
Communities like The Kensington Redondo Beach offer a supportive environment where you can grow personally and professionally while making a positive difference in the lives of others. Contact us to learn more about our community.
Apply for one of our available senior caregiver positions and take the first step toward a rewarding career.