Jamie Backensto was recently elected the 2016 President of the Alabama Nursing Home Association’s Activity & Social Service Auxiliary.
ANHA sat down with Jamie to ask about her plans for the Auxiliary in 2016 and how the group helps improve long-term care.
Background:
Jamie has served as Activity Director for Henry County Health & Rehab Facility since 2009. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Recreational Therapy from Florida State University. Her career in long-term care journey began at 15-years-old when she worked part-time as an activity assistant at an assisted living facility. After college, she interned at the Roosevelt Rehabilitation Center in Warm Springs, Georgia. She has been an activity director in Alabama nursing homes since 2001. Jamie and her son live in Abbeville, Alabama.
ANHA: How does it feel to be elected by your peers to lead the Auxiliary?
Jamie: I feel very blessed to be in this role and position. I pray that I can spread the word of how important activities and social services are to the residents of long-term care facilities. I want to say thank you to my peers and the Alabama Nursing Home Association for electing me to this role and I pray that I can do well.
ANHA: What are your 2016 goals for the Auxiliary?
Jamie: I want to create better awareness of the importance of activities and social services in the long-term care profession. We work as a team with everyone in the facility to achieve our goals and make sure we’re in it for the residents. The more we work as a team in our facilities the better it will be for the people we serve.
ANHA: Why should Activity and Social Service professionals get involved in the Auxiliary?
Jamie: We all go about our jobs and sometimes feel like the residents aren’t getting what they need or deserve. I joined the Auxiliary to learn what I could do to increase the participation in activities and make sure we give our residents the best service possible in our nursing home. I’ve learned a lot of different things through the Auxiliary that I’ve taken back and implemented at Henry County Health & Rehab. Associating with your peers in the Auxiliary breaks the everyday routine of what you do on the job. Being part of this group lets you learn from others and increase the well being of your residents. I really appreciate the support we receive from the Alabama Nursing Home Association.
ANHA: Why should someone consider a career as an Activity Director or Social Service Director?
Jamie: This is a very rewarding career, and I wouldn’t change this for anything. God has led me on this path, and I hope to continue on it and improve what I do through education. I would tell anyone considering the long-term care profession that it’s very rewarding.
About Henry County Health & Rehab Facility:
Henry County Health & Rehab Facility is a 142-bed skilled nursing center providing both long term and short-term nursing and rehabilitation services. Chuck Houston is the Administrator and Daphne Fleming is the Director of Nursing. The center is located in Abbeville.
