An activities director plays a vital role in the lives of seniors who become disabled, need rehabilitation, or are experiencing other issues related to geriatrics. In some ways, an activities director may be one of the most welcome parts of a senior's week.
While it may be a very hard job and at times some may wonder if any progress is being made, it can also be a very rewarding job. An activities director can have a direct impact on a senior's quality of life.
Function
An activities director is responsible for providing treatment services to seniors mainly through the use of recreational pursuits. These activities may involve crafts, games, sports and other types of community activities. The overall goal is to help rehabilitate and reinforce both fine and gross motor skills. In many environments, an activity director and recreational therapist can be the same thing.
In order to do this, an activities director may have to consult with a variety of other health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and even mental health providers. In some cases, an activities director may also have to tailor specific activities for individuals who cannot participate in group exercises. While this may take a little more time, it can of great benefit to an individual whose needs are so specific he may not gain much improvement in a group setting.
Time Frame
Being an activities director normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation for an entry-level position. Under normal circumstances, after graduation from high school, this would take four years to obtain, taking a normal class schedule. However, for those who wish to go on an accelerated schedule, taking more credit hours could accelerate graduation by a semester or perhaps even a full year. In addition to a four-year degree, some states require activities directors to be licensed.
In some cases, it may be possible to get a job with simply an associate's degree. These would be considered paraprofessional jobs. While they may not pay quite as well as a full activities director, earning an associate's degree takes approximately half the time as a bachelor's degree.
The Facts
Activities directors can serve in a variety of medical settings. Most serve in hospitals, rehabilitation or other types of long-term care facilities.
As the average age of the population in many countries gets older and life expectancies increase, there will be a need for activities directors. Because activities directors are working with people in a variety of settings, the hours they work may be odd or inconsistent. Most do not work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, a significant portion of the time. There may be a need for activities directors more on the weekend, or in the evenings, for example.
If this is a major consideration for those considering becoming activities directors, it may be advisable to seek an alternative career. For example, physical or occupational therapists in some cases provide services similar to activities directors and often have more regular hours.
Benefits
Measuring the benefits of activities directors purely in pay and other remunerated benefits may be just scratching the surface of what the true benefits are. However, they are important as well.
Most earn enough as an activities director to make a comfortable living. Because it is a professional position, the salary is usually commensurate with many others in the health care field requiring college degrees. Those working in hospitals and surgical facilities earn the most. Those working in assisted care facilities, on average, earn the least.
Expert Insight
For those looking for additional information or resources about becoming an activities director, there are plenty of resources, associations and organizations that cater to activities directors. Most of these can be found on the Internet. Also, it is helpful to check out current job listings, which will provide you with the requirements needed to find employment.
Though every job will require different things, looking at enough job listings should reveal some definite patterns and similarities common to all. This will help those interested in this career path to choose the most appropriate courses and perhaps help them gain experience by choosing the right internships.
Type
For those interested in this type of work, there are also other very similar jobs. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are great alternatives that incorporate some of the same skills and work on the same types of things. These jobs also work mostly with elderly and disabled people. In addition, there are full activities directors, as well as paraprofessional jobs, as noted previously.
Tags: , activities directors, activities directors, some cases, activities director have, associate degree, bachelor degree