Activities Aide; part-time

Description

POSITION

PURPOSE:

Activities and Life Enrichment are an essential aspect of dementia care. The primary purpose of the Part-Time (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) Activities Aide is to help the Activities Director plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct individual and group ACTIVITY & LIFE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS and to provide training and resources to facilitate the involvement of all staff in the provision of appropriate planned and spontaneous activities.

The Activities Aide will help the Activities Director ensure activity programs are in accordance with current existing Federal, State and Local standards, as well as established policies and procedures. Activities shall be planned and facilitated that take into consideration individual abilities and disabilities and assure that the spiritual, diversional, emotional, recreational and social needs and preferences of each resident is met and/or maintained.

It is also favorable that the Activities Assistant maintain a driver's license and will be shown how to drive the facility van as well as how to load and unload residents into the van safely for outings and visits to various businesses around the area. Training will be provided but it does not require a special class of license.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Demonstrates good faith effort to support, maintain, and improve the overall well-being of residents and a positive work environment for employees.
• Demonstrates knowledge, interest, and skills in the provision of care for persons with dementia.
• Assesses each resident’s abilities and disabilities, likes and dislikes, preferences, past habits and experiences to evaluate appropriate activities for the resident.
• Communicates individual resident activity interests, preferences, potential and activity possibilities to all staff and volunteers.
• Works with family/interested others to develop a visual and written life-story for each resident within seven days of admission.
• Maintains a working knowledge of activities appropriate for individuals with dementia.
• Participates in resident service planning.
• Acquire and maintains a selection of supplies to promote a variety of activities.
• Operates from the premise that everything is and can be an activity.
• Provides on-going training for staff on ways to engage residents in appropriate, useful and meaningful activities.
• Ensures a program of both individual and group activities based on the needs, interests and abilities of the resident(s) are available. A balance of recreational activities including physical, social, religious, and arts and crafts, diversional and intellectual is preferred.
• Communicates and promotes staff communications of activity offerings to residents through monthly calendar, daily postings, announcements, etc.
• Works effectively with other staff and secures their support for activities.
• Provides for seasonal art/decorations/etc. to support recognition of environment and holidays.
• Recruits, orientates, and supervises the volunteer program. Ensures volunteers are used effectively to supplement the activities program.
• Identifies and purchases items needed for activities.
• Works with Activities Director and facility Administrator to provide support for family members and responsible parties through group interaction and educational opportunities.
• Assist in the development of the department budget and monitor expenditures to control expenses.
• Recruit and coordinate community groups in an organized, safe, and reciprocally beneficial experience for visiting groups and residents.
• Effectively utilizes activity space – outdoor space, theme rooms, etc. – to promote resident involvement.
• When receptionist is absent, performs receptionist duties including…