Many long-term care staff, family members, visitors, and even residents, lack a thorough knowledge of the importance and benefits of activities in a health-care environment.  It is extremely important for the Recreation Department to market, promote, and educate others.  Hosting an annual “Activity Fair” is a great way to promote the Recreation Department, and boost staff morale, teamwork, and have fun.

• Commit to hosting the Activity Fair each year during National Activity Professionals' Week.
• Months in advance, set up an Activity Fair committee. The committee should be made up of Activity personnel and anyone else that may wish to assist such as Volunteers, Residents, Marketing Department, etc.
• Begin advertising at least a month prior. Advertising may include the facility or corporate newsletter, flyers, posters, send emails, etc. Make sure that all management is aware of the upcoming fair.
• Discuss the possibility of it becoming a Mandatory In-service for all facility staff.  Host the event in the largest room available.  The more space, the better.

• Create a variety of booths such as:  Physical Games and Exercise, Sensory Stimulation, Music, Cognitive Activities, Creative Activities, Adapting Activities, Committees, Leisure Education, etc.  Be sure to have an “Interdisciplinary Approach to Quality of Life” booth that demonstrates the CMS Activity Guidance to Surveyors. “
• Each booth may have printed materials, a storyboard explaining the purpose, benefits, etc., sample equipment, and a game or contest.
• Have a “Who’s Who” in the Activity Department Contest.
• Hand out raffle tickets for each contest, game or activity to those who participate. Have a variety raffle prizes such as mugs, t-shirts, pens, etc.
• Make sure that all participants sign in at the door.
•  Schedule the event to include as many shifts as possible such as 10:00am-5:00pm. You should even do a smaller one for the 11pm-7am shift if it becomes a mandatory facility in-service.
• Various storyboard materials are available. Just print, cut, and paste! Purchase the Activity Professionals Week Tool Kit today so you can get started!

Responsibilities of the Recreation Director in Long-Term Care
Plus Bonus Managerial Tools - Free Download

Activity and Recreation professionals play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of the elderly and other individuals in various health care settings. No one denies that activities are fun and engaging but there is a skill set involved and specific training required, along with an abundance of energy and a warm, loving heart. When an activity assistant or recreation therapist decides to take the next step and become a recreation director, they are faced with many new challenges, responsibilities, and obligations.

The role of the recreation director in long term care is one that is multi-faceted and ever-changing. Less time is spent in the implementation aspect of programming and more time on the assessment, planning and evaluation phases. The greatest challenge is being able to balance the responsibilities of being a manager and the intrinsic desire to be with the residents.

My free PDF offers some recreation management tips and bonus tools.

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