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The tasks assigned to the activity/life enrichment professional will differ between levels of care. Duties in a Memory Care community will be different than those in a skilled nursing facility or an independent living community. The job duties will typically fall into the following six categories.
Planning and Organization
Adhering to federal and state guidelines and regulations.
Controlling for health and safety, including infection control.
Developing policy and procedures
Developing and designing the calendar of events.
Managing the Activity Department - Communication and reports.
Preparing strategic plans for the activity department
Attending meetings - department head, ethics, QA, care plan
Allocating resources - budget and staffing
Participating in quality assurance/QAPI
Documentation and Record Keeping
The requirements for different types of facilities vary. Nursing facility requirements are the most stringent. They include:
Completing individualized activity assessments
Completing the comprehensive assessment (MDS 3.0)
Developing individualized care plans
Maintaining precautions lists
Writing progress notes
Completing quarterly reviews or change of condition
Participating in discharge planning
Volunteer Management
Identifying program needs
Developing a recruitment plan for qualified volunteers
Developing or revising volunteer job descriptions
Providing orientation and training for volunteers
Writing a volunteer manual
Supervising the tasks and outcomes of volunteer jobs
Recognizing the contributions and impact of volunteer work
Community and Staff Support
Networking to identify program resources
Communicating the value of the program for support from all stakeholders
Developing relationships with community, staff, and families
Professional Development
Attending in-service education sessions
Attending continuing education seminars
Participating in professional organizations for networking and support
Completing the requirements for NCCAP certification
Writing or presenting to professional or community groups
Activity Service Delivery
General Goal-Directed
Coordinate resident birthday celebrations (individual and group)
Develop resources for entertainment
Coordinate obtaining and showing movies, videos, slide programs
Facilitate bingo and other games
Plan and implement holiday celebrations/events
Plan and implement social functions, parties, and special meals
Plan and implement mental activities (trivia, games, brain health, etc.)
Plan and implement trips and outings
Plan and coordinate resident council
Lead or coordinate music programs
Plan and coordinate special events (family night, senior Olympics, etc.)
Plan and coordinate worship and religious activities
Implement movement and exercise programs
Coordinate and lead discussion groups
Plan and coordinate intergenerational programs
Plan and implement cooking and food preparation activities
Specialized Therapeutic Groups
Plan and implement structured activities for residents with dementia
plan and lead a sensory enrichment group
Coordinate support groups for stroke, diabetes, low vision, etc.
Facilitate a "young adult" program
Plan and implement passive groups for "low endurance" residents
Coordinate Veterans' Groups
Plan and implement gardening groups
Plan and lead remotivation/resocialization groups
Plan and implement newcomers' group activities
Independent/Self-Directed
Arrange and facilitate puzzles, cards, games
Obtain supplies for resident independent use
Secure adaptive equipment
Provide assistance for computer access
Coordinate library, large print books, book cart
Facilitate coffee and social hours
Facilitate correspondence/pen-pal programs
Coordinate voting
Resident Role/Leadership Opportunities
Supervise resident volunteers
calendars
mail
committees
Resident stores/sales
Service projects (recycle, can drives, collections)
Specialized Activity Services (Individual-one-to-one)
Identify, plan and implement an individualized activity pursuit program for appropriate residents, utilizing families, volunteers, or staff.
Provide favorite snack programs
Read to me programs
Outside/nature walks
Word games
Environment enrichment activities
Pet visits
Facilitate music/instruments
Scrapbooks and memory activities
Religious and prayer opportunities
Environment
Arrange bird feeders
Coordinate aquariums
Display pictures to promote activity participation
Decorate the facility for all holidays
Coordinate exhibits and displays
Coordinate art shows
Display pictures and artwork in social spaces
Coordinate music in the environment
Coordinate "carts" (news, cookies, juice, tea, coffee)
In future posts, we will dive into these different tasks and responsibilities into more depth! Keep in mind, the role will be slightly different from one community to another, therefore there can never really be any fully comprehensive list. Hopefully, this gives you a starting point about what to expect while working as an activity professional in a long-term care community!
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