A Day in the Life of an Activity Professional

January 21-27 is National Activity Professionals Week. We’re paying tribute to the Activity Director and Activity Assistants that work in Alabama nursing homes by taking you through an “average” day.

Debra Brock is Activity Director at River City Center in Decatur, and is 2018 Vice-President of the ANHA Activity & Social Service Auxiliary. In this article, she takes you on a minute-by-minute journey on one of her work days.

By Debra Brock

6:50 a.m. I arrive for work around 6:50 a.m. each morning. River City Center’s dining room is in view as I walk through the front door. I anticipate seeing the same three residents who are waiting patiently day in and out. These ladies are always up early and ready to greet staff as they come in and to wave good bye to those who are going home. This absolutely makes my day! What a privilege to be recognized daily for just showing up to work.

6:53 a.m. I faithfully clock in and head to my office to check the action summary and review midnight census. I always have a cup of coffee while waiting for my computer to start up. Honestly, I have lots of coffee, but it gets me going. Then I prepare a communication form, so my activity staff is informed of any new admissions, room changes or discharges. I check my e-mails as this is the process of communication from our MDS office, corporate office and other staff members to inform me of any conference calls, concerns I might need to address or meetings that have been scheduled. This hour of preparation helps things run smoothly all-day long.

8:00 a.m. I prepare a list of residents who are due an assessment, this includes an initial assessment upon admission and quarterly, annual or significant change assessments. Most mornings, I receive a visit from Jeffery while I’m preparing for the assessments. He joins me in the office to socialize, reminisce and look through music CDs. He is well known in our building for creating beautiful drawings and paintings. Most of the time, he will draw something specifically for me and insist I hang it up for everyone to see. These are special moments where he kicks back and chats about the upcoming day. There is nothing better than a resident who lets me know I’m making a difference in the lives of those around me.

9:00 a.m. The morning Interdisciplinary Team meeting begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. every day. It lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, I return to my office to cover any last-minute notes or changes.

9:30 a.m. Activity staff members Dianne and Sherry arrive. We communicate any information needed for the day: items that need special attention, changes in a resident’s activity participation or a new admission. From that point on, our day is in full blast. Dianne and Sherry prepare for the daily schedule which includes four to five activities held at different times during the day. They have a system. One provides the group activity while the other visits residents who are one-on-one intervention. That’s where we provide reading, music, religious or other types of sensory and sometimes just socializing with resident who are unable to attend group programs or chooses not to attend.

10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. I hit the halls and interview people who are new admissions using an Initial Comprehensive Assessment to gather information regarding their activity preference. I will use this information to create a Comprehensive Care Plan that reflects their preferences.

11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. This is when residents are preparing for their lunch. It’s a perfect time to sit down at my computer and import all the information I have gathered during the assessments. Dianne and Sherry document residents’ activity participation and prepare for the afternoon group activities or one-on-one interventions.

12:30 p.m. We need a break! From 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. the activity staff takes a lunch break to recharge and refresh.

1:00 p.m. Time to check e-mails and hit the halls again. This is a time when I interview long-term residents who are due an annual, quarterly or significant change assessment. These help me to identify changes in activity preferences, improvements and declines in medical, cognition or participation. This information is used to update individualized care plans on each resident’s likes, dislikes and needs. While on the hall, a family member stops me and asks if she can talk with me. Of course, I say yes. She tells me that her sister has some items that are lost. I assist her in filing the proper paperwork to report the loss. When I get back to making my rounds, Frankie, a resident, stops me to talk about the latest football game. Sadie need me to go to the store for her because she is out of shampoo. Andy asks me to help him put his shoes back on. During all of this, I also answer three call lights. As an activity professional, you are the friendly face residents and family members are familiar with. They feel comfortable expressing concern or sharing exciting happenings in their life knowing that you will make time to stop pay attention.

2:00 p.m. Every third Tuesday, I help our residents facilitate the Resident Council meeting which can last 30 minutes or 1 hour 30 minutes. I document complements, concerns, suggestions, etc. In the event there are concerns, I follow up with the designated department to make sure it is addressed or resolved.

3:30 p.m. I call it a day and head for the door. Louise stops me, says she is cold and me to go to her room and get her a sweater. I do and even help her put it on. Then, George needs help opening his crackers. I clocked out at 3:30 p.m., but might not get out of the building until 15 minutes later. I smile and think it’s all “In a Day in the Life of an Activity professional.” I Love My Job!