Search the Community

Hello! My name is Diane, I live in Cleveland Ohio. I'm very excited to be a part of this community and gather all the resources I can.

Heather Morris I am a new Activities Director in Macedonia, OH. I accepted the position in January this year. Previously I was an activities assistant in a sister building in Aurora, OH. The reason I made the move up to director was more about the residents than anything. The building had gone through a high turn over of leaders and staff in a short time. AD was one of those departments affected. I helped cover a few shifts for activities in October and November of 2018. My heart felt for the residents and I was soon asked to be the director. The following months were a hot mess. I quickly learned how to be a full-time manager, a student(again), event coordinator and caregiver to the residents. Taking the Online courses from NCCAP has helped me in a lot of ways. I appreciate the positive community around the AD network as well. Many times when I thought I just couldn't hack it... the live chat students and instructor Kathy Hughes helped encourage me and bring fresh ideas. Now a days the residents I my building enjoy their days with laughter, bingo(they enjoy a whole host of bingo varieties), social parties, outings, events and more! I'm so glad to be apart of a team that empowers each other and the resident's quality of life. Now let me share a little about myself to top off this post. I am 28 years old, though everyone says I don't look it. haha Some have even asked me, "What grade are you in?"... nuff said. I have an amazing husband of 6 years this July. We met at college in Indiana around 10 years ago. I graduated with a Bachelors degree and hopes of starting a family. We love video games, cooking, church ministry, and our two fur babies.(Pug, Zelda and Calico Kitty, Belle). We have two babies in Heaven. Losing a pregnancy is so difficult that you can only understand if you've been there (God bless you reader.) I do not mention it for the sympathy, please understand. I want to share that this happened before I became the activities assistant. The most difficult event in my life, and let me tell you what got me through. 1. Much prayer. 2. Helping the residents in the nursing home. Love is a powerful thing, and I believe it is most powerful when given away. I shared, I loved, I listened, I healed. If you are reading this and more than likely going through something difficult in your life... know that you are not alone and you can find healing in helping. My goals now are to finish the MEPAP 1 course this week (yikes!) and to start the second in July. I hope to be a more organized and innovative Activities Director.

Hello there, my name is Ashley Walden and I am the Life Enrichment Coordinator for the health care unit of a retirement facility in a suburb outside of of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I just started the job in October of last year, so I have been in the position for about seven months. Prior to that, I had four years of experience as an Activity Assistant on a health care unit, a secure dementia unit, and in personal care. I covered three maternity leaves in that time! I am starting to get my feet on the ground in this new position, making the calendar my own and getting to know my residents well. I am also taking the MEPAP1 course on the path to getting my ADC. Looking forward to learning from you here!

Hi! I'm Lisa. I'm from the Buffalo, NY area. I am currently finishing up the MEPAP 1 with Kathy Hughes...exam is Tuesday already! I currently work in an assisted living facility. I work exclusively in the memory care unit as the Memory Care Program Coordinator. So, I basically plan and implement the activities on the unit. I am a one man show in there, but the residnet aides continue the scheduled activities when I am not there. I plan on attaining my ad certification with a specialization in memory care. I actually would like to continue my certification afterwards to earn a dementia care trainer certification. Years ago, I owned my own business while my children were in school...it enabled me to be with them as they needed me and earn money at the same time. Well, the entreprenual spirit still exists in me and I would ultimately love to be a consultant specializing in memory care units/facilities. But, for now, I will keep working towards my AD and we will see where I go from there. I previously worked at a long term care facility as an activities aid, but I had all the duites of a memory care program coordinator. It worked out perfect in that phase of the MEPAP as I was working on care plans and CAA's there, so the learning material made complete sence to me. I left that facility for an opportunity to work in one of the highest rated facilities in my area. Things run much slower at an assisted living facility which I do welcome, but I have to admit that I do miss care plans, care conferences ad even working on the CAA's! Anyway, if your interests are in memory care, let's share ideas!

Hello Everyone, I am new to the Activity World. I am working part-time in the evenings and some weekend at a local nursing home in Germantown, OH. I would love to do this job full time! Hence, I am currently taking the MEPAP1 class. Plus, I am working in sales where I sell databases to college libraries. I thought it would be a great idea to proceed in getting certified for my dream job. This way I will be prepared and ready to do the best I can with all that I have learned! I enjoy seeing all the wonderful ideas on this site. Also, it is nice to keep an eye out for Activity Director jobs in the local Dayton, OH area. Thanks, Linda Steinmetz