Activity Director   

This course is designed to give you the training and insight in working with the activity programs in nursing homes.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Long Term Care

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

The professional opportunities to care for the growing number of people who will use the supportive assistance offered in day treatment, assisted living, and long-term care settings are expanding faster than professionals can be trained. These positions can be rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling. Activity directors are responsible for directing, implementing and evaluating all resident activities as well as completing comprehensive assessments and care plan goals. Directing the activity course includes planning of activities for both individuals and groups, implementation of the programs, and monitoring the response to the programs in order to determine if the activities meet the care plan goals for residents.

This course will teach you about professionalism, documentation and ethics, working with residents with special needs, and adapting ideas to certain demographics within a facility. It enables activity directors to excel by emphasizing the diverse nature of long term care residents and by providing a variety of activity ideas: creative, spiritual, physical, social, educational and sensory. It also focuses on developing caring and passionate professionals that are able to create, implement and evaluate resident centered activities that are part of the individualized care plan.

This training is valid in the US Only in the following states: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

1. Unit 1
   1. History of long-term care
   2. Philosophy of person-centered care
   3. Basic knowledge of the aging process
   4. Misconceptions
   5. Physical Changes
   6. Cognitive changes: Dementia, Alzheimer's
   7. Mental Health/Illness
   8. Psychosocial needs
   9. Overview of applicable regulations
   10. The Survey Process
   11. OBRA resident rights
   12. Regulations
   13. Advocacy in self-determination
   14. Resident/family councils
2. Unit 2
   1. Types and techniques used for the admission and discharge process
   2. Principles of documentation
   3. Basic performance skills
   4. Management of internal support staff, budgeting, supplies and outside resources
   5. Getting to know the person
   6. Person Centered Care Plan Development
   7. Evaluation of care plan effectiveness
3. Unit 3
   1. Role of the Activity Director
   2. Programming Options
   3. Various therapies in activity programming
   4. Options and Uses for Adaptive Equipment and Interventions
   5. Management of resident and community volunteers
4. Unit 4
   1. Documentation
   2. Infection Control
   3. Optimal use of environment
   4. Establish and facilitate group and individual participation
   5. Clinical experience

What you will learn

• Identify the role of the activity director in today's long-term care environment
• Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of programming options
• Show awareness of the role of various therapies in activity programming
• Identify the availability, options, and uses for adaptive equipment and interventions
• Discuss the management of resident and community volunteers, including recruitment, training, and recognition
• Demonstrate ability to perform needed documentation
• Structure planning for optimal use of an environment
• Establish and facilitate group and individual participation

How you will benefit

• Prepare to work as an activity director at a long-term care or assisted living facility, adult day program, retirement community, or community center
• Develop the skills needed for a career that will enable you to help others and your community at large
• Learn how to best interact and communicate with senior citizens
• Jump-start your career and develop managerial skills

Cindy Gaschler

Cindy Gaschler has worked in the healthcare field since 1999. She began her career as a CNA, then completed her LPN, and continued with an ADN degree. She functioned as a Long-Term Care charge nurse, Inpatient Rehabilitation nurse, MDS Coordinator, and Director of Nursing. Following this she re-enrolled in college and obtained a BSN while performing duties of Human Resources, Staff Development Coordinator, Risk Management, Health Information Management, and Senior Living Manager.