Life Enrichment Director

Harmony Senior Services•Hockessin, DE

About The Position

The Life Enrichment Director develops and implements meaningful activity and recreational programs for the entire community, including Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), and Memory Care (MC). Programs should embrace residents’ needs and varied interests while promoting or enhancing physical and psychosocial well-being. The director plans and develops a resident activities program with varied leisure and educational opportunities for residents of different ages, interests, and physical abilities. As a member of the facility management team, the director identifies resident needs, makes recommendations, and participates in program-planning decisions. The role works with resident associations and committees, connects residents and staff, and coordinates with families and volunteers. The director also oversees program budgets, activity areas and supplies, and provides staff guidance on life enrichment and residents’ quality of life. The position supports a dignified, caring atmosphere for residents, families, visitors, and staff.

Requirements

Qualify as a therapeutic recreation specialist or activities professional eligible for certification by a recognized accrediting body, such as the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals; alternatively, have two years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years, including one full-time year in a long-term care setting providing programs for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
Be a Certified Dementia Practitioner or eligible for certification.
Maintain applicable state requirements for dementia-specific training.
Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills with residents, families, staff, vendors, and the general public.
Have compassion for and a desire to work with older adults.
Be self-starting and able to work responsibly and independently as well as as part of a team.
Be honest, fair, dependable, and respectful of confidentiality and others’ rights and privacy.
Have experience planning, organizing, and executing varied life enrichment opportunities for seniors at all activity and cognitive levels, including people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Have exceptional organizational skills.
Be able to establish effective relationships with residents, family members, and staff.
Have a current First Aid and CPR certification, or be eligible to obtain certification within 60 days of hire.
Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
Be able to work a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement meaningful activity and recreational programs for IL, AL, and MC residents.
Plan and develop leisure and educational activities for residents with varied ages, interests, and physical limitations.
Serve on the facility management team to identify resident needs, submit recommendations, and participate in program decisions.
Attend resident association meetings and support resident committees in identifying resident and program needs.
Provide a link between resident associations and staff.
Plan, coordinate, and implement a daily activity program in accordance with Harmony Senior Services guidelines and standards.
Plan a monthly activities program for all levels of care.
Meet with each new resident to complete the Resident Life Profile.
Involve the Program Coordinator or Activities Assistant in activity programming when necessary.
Consult regularly with families regarding residents’ participation in activities.
Oversee the programming budget and keep expenses within budget guidelines.
Maintain activity areas and supplies in a neat and orderly fashion.
Guide and support staff regarding life enrichment and residents’ quality of life.
Support a dignified and caring atmosphere for residents, families, visitors, and staff.
Coordinate and oversee volunteer opportunities.
Supervise associates and set up and train volunteers.