What is the primary role of a Long Term Care Nursing Assistant (LTCNA)?

The primary role of a Long Term Care Nursing Assistant (LTCNA) is to provide personal care and assistance with daily living activities. This encompasses a wide range of tasks that are essential for the well-being and comfort of residents in a long-term care facility. These tasks may include helping residents with bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting. By offering this support, LTCNAs ensure that residents maintain their dignity and quality of life, particularly when they may be unable to perform these activities independently due to age, illness, or disability.

The focus on personal care is critical in long-term care settings, where many residents have chronic conditions that require continuous support. While administering medications, managing medical records, and providing rehabilitation therapies are important aspects of patient care, those responsibilities typically fall under the purview of licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses or therapists. LTCNAs play a vital role in the direct care of residents, making their role indispensable in the day-to-day operations of long-term care facilities.