Activities Assistant - Personal Care

Homewood Living Plum Creek•Hanover, PA

About The Position

The Activities Assistant supports the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator in carrying out individual and group activities that meet residents’ psychosocial needs. The role helps develop and coordinate programs, encourages resident participation, and supports activities and special events, including events held on weekends and evenings. The assistant also documents activity attendance, reports observed changes in residents’ physical or emotional status to a licensed nurse, and performs other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, and understand English well.
Compassion, understanding, and empathy for older persons.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to listen and communicate with residents at a level they can understand.
Ability to encourage and motivate older persons.
Creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination in planning resident activities.
Ability to drive Homewood’s van and a valid driver’s license.
Must be able to work on their feet constantly during an eight-hour shift.
Must sometimes assist with resident transfers or repositioning.
Must react quickly and decisively in emergencies and during unexpected resident behavior.
Must frequently push residents in wheelchairs throughout an eight-hour shift and be able to drive the company van.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Experience working with elderly people preferred.

Responsibilities

Treat information about residents, their condition, and their families as confidential.
Comply with established corporate and departmental policies and procedures and maintain established standards and practices.
Help develop and coordinate programs and assist residents in attending activities.
Develop and guide Reality Orientation activities, including daily announcements, current events, large calendars, visual aids, and seasonal decorations.
Schedule regular use of Homewood’s van for scenic drives, shopping trips, and transportation to community events.
Help assign volunteers to specific activity responsibilities and ensure they have adequate materials and supervision.
Participate in resident care planning when relevant information can be helpful.
Facilitate special functions involving outside groups and special activities on weekends and evenings.
Document and chart attendance at all activities.
Report observed changes in residents’ physical and emotional status to the licensed nurse.
Perform other functions as directed by the supervisor.