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, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Programs should reflect residents’ needs and varied interests while promoting or enhancing physical and psychosocial well-being. The director plans and coordinates daily and monthly activity programming that complies with Harmony Senior Services guidelines, including leisure and educational opportunities for residents of all ages, interests, and physical abilities. The role serves on the facility management team, works with resident associations and committees to identify needs, and provides a link between residents and staff. The director also completes a Resident Life Profile with each new resident, consults with families about participation, manages the programming budget, maintains activity spaces and supplies, supports staff in promoting residents’ quality of life, and coordinates volunteer opportunities. The position requires compassion for older adults, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The director must be able to build relationships with residents, families, and staff; supervise associates; train volunteers; and represent the community professionally. A flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, is required.

Requirements

Be a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an 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 dementias.
Be a Certified Dementia Practitioner or eligible for certification.
Maintain applicable state requirements for dementia-specific training.
Demonstrate effective, concise written and oral communication with residents, families, staff, vendors, and the general public.
Have compassion for and a desire to work with the senior population.
Be a self-starter who can work responsibly and independently as well as collaboratively as a team player.
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 with different activity levels, including those with cognitive impairments related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Have exceptional organizational skills.
Be able to establish effective relationships with residents, family members, and staff.
Be able to supervise associates and set up and train volunteers.
Have 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 activities and recreational programs for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care residents.
Plan a varied resident activities program that offers leisure and educational opportunities for residents of different ages, interests, and physical abilities.
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 daily activities and monthly programs in accordance with Harmony Senior Services guidelines and standards.
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 condition.
Guide and serve as a resource to staff on life enrichment and other aspects of residents’ quality of life.
Support a dignified and caring atmosphere for residents, families, visitors, and staff.
Coordinate and oversee volunteer opportunities.
Supervise associates and arrange training for volunteers.
Represent the community in a positive and professional manner.