At nursing homes, activity directors are responsible for planning and executing activities and events that will enrich the lives of those in their community. Activity directors often aim to plan a schedule is both mentally fulfilling and purposeful, improving the cognitive, social, and overall well-being of the residents they serve.
Day to Day of An Activity Director
An activity director often wears many hats, all with the purpose of tailoring activities to the residents in their community. They will often create a schedule of activities that target different needs, from exercising sessions designed to encourage movement to meditation sessions focusing on concentration and memory recall.
This requires an activity director to not only choose activities that will help their residents thrive, but are also adjustable for residents who may want to participate but need special accommodations. An activity director will become not only a planner, but also an advocate for their residents and an expert in how to best help each resident enjoy the fun events to the fullest.
Activity Director Qualifications
Activity directors are required to have an educational background as well as certifications to work in their profession. Activity directors often earn a degree in recreational therapy, gerontology, or healthcare management. However, some roles will simply require that an individual complete high school or a GED.
Many nursing homes prefer to hire individuals who earn the Activity Director Certification from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), which is an accreditation dedicated to helping activity directors provide quality programming.
Another common requirement is the completion of the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) I and II.
Soft Skills
There are a variety of soft skills an activity director needs:
- Creativity. An activity director should be able to think of a dynamic programming schedule that helps add variety to a resident’s day while providing them with social and physical benefits. From brainstorming activity ideas to choosing topics that go along with each season, activity directors need to be able to come up with different ways to both entertain and enrich their residents.
- Empathy. Activity directors need to be able to talk and listen to the residents they work with. They will get to know them through the events, and will need to learn how they can help residents cope with their challenges of being in a nursing home facility.
- Encouragement. An activity director should be able to help encourage the residents they work with to try different programs on the schedule. They should help residents celebrate their successes (such as completing a craft or singing their favorite karaoke song) and help them feel welcome to new activities that they might want to try.
- Adaptability. An activity director must be able to adapt, especially if they need to change an activity because a shipment of supplies did not arrive in time or technology does not work in the moment. They should also have ideas ready for residents who have mobility or cognitive needs by preparing adjusted versions of the activity.
Why Are Activity Directors Important?
Activity Directors help foster ways for residents to express themselves and take a break from the rehabilitation and therapy sessions. For example, art programs can bring out creativity inside of a resident; writing projects can help residents reminisce about their lives; community events can bring families together for celebrations; and trivia nights can encourage teamwork and engagement. These examples and many more can help residents in nursing homes feel connected and fulfilled, allowing them to pursue their passions in a comfortable environment.
Start a Rewarding Career Today
Are you interested in working in the activities field? Check out positions near you at one of the affiliated nursing homes: https://saberhealth.com/careers
