Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Activity Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Activity Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating person-centered activity and therapeutic recreation programs that enhance quality of life, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and physical well-being for residents in senior living, assisted living, and long-term care settings. This role leads activity staff, coordinates volunteers and community partners, maintains regulatory compliance for programming documentation, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams (nursing, social services, dietary) to develop individualized care plans and meaningful calendar-based programming.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Activity Assistant / Activities Aide
Recreational Therapy Assistant / Volunteer Coordinator
CNA or Direct Care Worker with activity responsibilities

Advancement To:

Senior Activity Director / Director of Life Enrichment
Regional Activities Manager / Program Manager for Multiple Communities
Director of Resident Services / Director of Wellness

Lateral Moves:

Memory Care Program Coordinator
Social Services Coordinator
Volunteer Services Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement and maintain a monthly, weekly, and daily activity calendar that reflects person-centered programming across cognitive, physical, social, spiritual and cultural domains; ensure calendars are posted and communicated to residents, families, and staff.
Conduct individualized activity assessments and create tailored Activity Intervention Plans (AIPs) or life enrichment plans that document resident preferences, abilities, goals, baseline function, and measurable outcomes; update plans regularly in the resident chart.
Plan and lead a diverse range of group and one-on-one activities (arts & crafts, music therapy, exercise classes, cognitive stimulation, horticulture, outings, holiday events, reminiscence) with attention to resident abilities and safety.
Coordinate and supervise activity staff, volunteers, and contracted facilitators; provide ongoing coaching, scheduling, performance feedback, training, and delegation to meet program needs and regulatory standards.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing activity programming, including CMS and state survey requirements for nursing homes and assisted living facilities; prepare for and participate in surveys and audits.
Document attendance, participation outcomes, behavior changes, and therapeutic responses in the medical or EHR charting system in a timely, accurate, and HIPAA-compliant manner; maintain activity records, progress notes, and required regulatory documentation.
Collaborate with nursing, social work, therapy services, dietary, and administration to integrate activities into the interdisciplinary care plan and support restorative nursing, physical and occupational therapy goals.
Lead special events, community outings, intergenerational programs, and off-site activities while managing transportation logistics, risk assessment, resident permissions, and budget considerations.
Develop and manage the activities department budget including ordering supplies, controlling inventory, tracking program expenses, and recommending cost-effective purchases and community resource partnerships.
Design and implement specialized programming for residents with dementia and other cognitive impairments using evidence-based approaches (validation therapy, Montessori-based activities, sensory stimulation) to reduce agitation and promote engagement.
Recruit, orient, and train volunteers and community partners to expand program offerings, coordinate volunteer schedules, ensure background checks, and maintain strong community relationships.
Evaluate program effectiveness through resident/family satisfaction surveys, outcome measures (mood, participation rates, functional changes), and quality improvement initiatives; refine programming based on data and feedback.
Provide compassionate family communication and education about activity goals, progress, and how families can participate in meaningful ways; facilitate family councils and special family events as needed.
Oversee procurement, maintenance, organization and safe storage of activity supplies, adaptive equipment, and therapeutic resources; adhere to infection control practices and facility safety policies.
Develop and promote seasonal, cultural, and holiday programming that honors resident diversity, spiritual preferences, and community traditions while ensuring accessibility for residents with mobility or sensory limitations.
Implement behavior intervention strategies and de-escalation techniques during activities; coordinate with nursing and social services to address challenging behaviors and document interventions and outcomes.
Use technology, music platforms, cognitive training apps, virtual programming, and audiovisual tools to enhance engagement and broaden program reach, including hybrid in-person/virtual offerings.
Maintain clear scheduling for staff assignments, coverage for weekends/holidays, and contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted programming during staff shortages or facility incidents.
Market and promote activities and community events internally and externally to drive family involvement, resident enrollment, and community awareness; develop flyers, digital content, and promotional materials.
Support admissions and tours by describing activity programs and individualized engagement plans to prospective residents and families to demonstrate the community’s life enrichment offerings.
Track and report key performance indicators for the activities department (attendance rates, program diversity, resident outcomes) and present findings to leadership as part of continuous quality improvement.

Secondary Functions

Assist in interdisciplinary care conferences and resident care planning meetings by providing activity-based insights and recommended non-pharmacologic interventions.
Serve as a resource for clinical staff on activity-based interventions for mood, pain distraction, sleep hygiene, and fall risk reduction through engagement strategies.
Participate in facility committees (quality improvement, infection control, emergency preparedness) to ensure programming is aligned with facility policies and resident safety.
Coordinate with external vendors, entertainers, schools, faith-based organizations and therapy providers to augment in-house offerings and negotiate service agreements.
Support marketing and admissions teams with open houses, community outreach events, and social media content showcasing activity programming and life enrichment.
Provide occasional coverage for related departments in small communities during staffing crises (e.g., assisting with dining activities or transportation coordination).

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Activity/program design and curriculum development specifically for senior living, memory care, and long-term care populations.
Therapeutic recreation techniques and evidence-based dementia programming (e.g., validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, Montessori methods).
Resident assessment and individualized care planning, including documenting Activity Intervention Plans and progress notes in EHRs.
Regulatory knowledge: CMS, state survey standards, and documentation requirements for activities in skilled nursing and assisted living settings.
Volunteer coordination, onboarding, background checks, and volunteer program management.
Budgeting and procurement for activity supplies, contracts, and vendor management.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), calendar software, and common EHR/documentation platforms.
Event planning, risk assessment, and transportation logistics for off-site trips and community outings.
Infection control and safety compliance specific to group programming and shared materials.
CPR, First Aid, and basic emergency response certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Soft Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with residents, families, staff, and community partners.
Leadership and team-building ability to develop, mentor, and retain activity staff and volunteers.
Creativity and flexibility to adapt programs to varying cognitive and functional levels.
Empathy and patience when working with older adults and individuals with dementia or behavioral health needs.
Time management and organizational skills to coordinate multiple programs, schedules, and documentation tasks simultaneously.
Problem-solving and critical thinking to tailor interventions and respond to emergent resident needs.
Cultural competency and sensitivity to support diverse resident backgrounds and spiritual preferences.
Presentation and public speaking skills for leading groups, family meetings, and community outreach.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required. Relevant certificate in activities, recreation, or therapeutic recreation preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Management, Gerontology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy (CTRS), or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Therapeutic Recreation / Recreational Therapy
Gerontology / Aging Services
Social Work / Human Services
Nursing or Healthcare Administration
Event Management / Recreation Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of experience in activities programming, preferably in senior living, assisted living, long-term care, or memory care settings.

Preferred:

2+ years as an Activity Director or equivalent leadership role with demonstrated experience developing person-centered programs, supervising staff, and managing activity budgets.
Experience with dementia-specific programming and familiarity with state and federal regulations for long-term care activities.

Certifications & Compliance

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or Activity Director Certification (ADC) is advantageous.
Current CPR and First Aid certification required or must be obtained within hiring period.
Background checks, TB testing, immunizations, and other facility-required health screenings as part of onboarding.
Ongoing professional development in gerontology, dementia care, and activity standards is encouraged and often required.

Performance Metrics & KPIs

Resident participation rates and average weekly engagement minutes.
Resident and family satisfaction scores related to programming.
Progress toward individualized activity goals and measurable outcomes.
Volunteer retention and community partnership growth.
Compliance audit results and accuracy/timeliness of activity documentation.

Hiring Profile (Recruiter Summary)

We are seeking a compassionate, creative, and organized Activity Director with proven experience in senior living or long-term care programming. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, solid knowledge of dementia-friendly interventions, excellent documentation habits, and the ability to build engaging, outcomes-focused programs that improve resident quality of life. This role is perfect for a dynamic life enrichment professional who enjoys collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, values resident-centered care, and can translate programming into measurable resident outcomes.

Keywords: Activity Director, Activities Director, Life Enrichment, Therapeutic Recreation, Memory Care, Dementia Programming, Senior Living Activities, Assisted Living Activities, Activity Coordinator, CTRS, ADC.