Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Life Enrichment Coordinator
A Life Enrichment Coordinator is a professional who enhances the quality of life for individuals in various settings such as senior living communities, healthcare facilities, and community centers. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing activities and programs that promote social interaction, intellectual stimulation, and emotional well-being. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Life Enrichment Coordinators.
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Main Responsibilities of a Life Enrichment Coordinator
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Life Enrichment Coordinator:
Advocate
Advocate for the needs and rights of participants and promote person-centered care.
Assess
Assess the interests, needs, and preferences of the participants to tailor activities accordingly.
Assist in
Assist as needed with marketing events.
Assist the Director in maintaining an adequate supply of books, puzzles, magazines and games.
Assist the Director in training all staff on activity-related programs.
Assist the Life Enrichment Director with daily activities.
Assist with gathering information, articles, and photos for newsletter.
Assist with maintaining the indoor garden.
Assist with orientation of team members assigned to memory care neighborhood.
Assist with personal care tasks, mobility support, and medication reminders, if required.
Assist with planning and coordinating special events including events for seasonal holidays.
Assist with preparation and distribution of weekly program contents.
Assist with purchasing supplies as directed.
Assist with transportation (in-house and outside) during activities.
Attend
Attend all required training sessions and meetings.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with healthcare professionals and therapists to incorporate therapeutic activities into the program.
Collaborate with other staff members to organize outings, field trips, and special events.
Collaborate with the facility's administration and management team to align the life enrichment program with organizational goals.
Communicate
Communicate available programs and upcoming events.
Communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
Communicate effectively with participants, their families, and the broader community to promote program awareness and engagement.
Complete
Complete admission quality activities assessments as scheduled.
Complete other tasks assigned by the Administrator.
Conduct
Conduct orientation sessions for new participants, explaining program offerings and expectations.
Conduct regular assessments of participants' interests and abilities to ensure ongoing program relevance.
Conduct regular evaluations and assessments to measure the effectiveness of programs and make necessary adjustments.
Coordinate
Coordinate activity events (i.e. set-up, food) with other departments.
Coordinate and schedule a diverse range of activities, including arts and crafts, music and dance sessions, fitness classes, educational workshops, and social events.
Coordinate and supervise student and / or other volunteers in the nursing home when applicable.
Coordinate intergenerational activities to foster connections between different age groups.
Create
Create and distribute promotional materials and newsletters to inform participants about upcoming activities.
Develop
Develop and implement engaging recreational programs for individuals of all ages.
Develop Life Skills tailored to each resident's unique needs and abilities.
Discover
Discover residents' interests, abilities, and what makes each resident who they are.
Document
Document progress of residents according to state, federal and Balfour Senior Living requirements.
Encourage
Encourage all residents to attend activities and participate.
Encourage and support resident social clubs and associations.
Encourage the participation of families, volunteers, and caregiver staff, as appropriate.
Ensure
Ensure bulletin boards are current and attractively decorated with seasonal ornamentation.
Ensure residents are engaged in Life Skills throughout the day and the evening.
Ensure that life skills are included on the ISP.
Ensure that team members are giving only exceptional care and treating our residents with dignity.
Ensure that the Memory Care neighborhood / programming is exceptional.
Ensure the safety and well-being of the participants during all activities.
Establish
Establish and maintain relationships with external organizations and community partners for collaboration opportunities.
Evaluate
Evaluate resident's abilities and personal interests.
Evaluate residents' interests and involvement in Life Skills.
Evaluate the capabilities, needs, and interests of new Residents and periodically of each resident.
Follow
Follow all Infection Prevention and Control measures including proper hand hygiene.
Foster
Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages participation and promotes social connections.
Help
Help to ensure the activity programs are appropriately presented by staff.
Keep
Keep current with state and facility required annual training.
Lead
Lead activities and coordinate volunteers.
Maintain
Maintain accurate records of participant attendance, program evaluations, and feedback.
Maintain all pets and pet environments, as assigned.
Maintain and work within the department budget.
Maintain an inventory of Life Skills Programming supplies.
Maintain a positive and respectful rapport with residents.
Maintain appropriate documentation and adhere to regulatory and compliance requirements.
Maintain a safe activities program, including driving, events, space, planning, mobility.
Maintain birthday and special dietary requirement lists, as well as volunteer list.
Maintain compliance with all departmental recordkeeping requirements.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work activities.
Maintain excellent documentation of resident care and changes in condition.
Maintain good attendance record.
Maintain records of attendance.
Manage
Manage program budgets, resources, and equipment procurement.
Mentor
Mentor student interns and volunteers who are involved with activities.
Network
Network and engage with professional associations and attend relevant conferences and workshops to enhance professional development.
Offer
Offer guidance and support to families in navigating resources and services available to them.
Organize
Organize and facilitate support groups and discussion forums for participants and their families.
Participate in
Participate in on-site training as requested.
Participate in weekend activities rotation.
Perform
Perform and completes assignments with established procedures and guidelines.
Plan
Plan ahead to ensure that residents have adequate supplies for scheduled activities.
Plan and execute holiday-themed events and celebrations.
Plan of care should identify the problems, needs, and goals of the resident.
Provide
Provide emotional support and companionship to individuals who may be experiencing isolation or loneliness.
Provide evening entertainment on occasions for all residents.
Provide exceptional customer service.
Provide group or one-on-one activities as required per residents needs.
Provide individualized attention and support to participants with specific needs or limitations.
Recruit
Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to assist with program implementation.
Report
Report all accidents and incidents immediately.
Report all program policy / procedures discrepancies to the Director of Life Enrichment.
Respond to
Respond effectively to resident behavior.
Stay update on
Stay updated on current trends, research, and best practices in life enrichment programming.
Support
Support resident spiritual needs.
Use
Use your talents and help build a dynamic community.
Utilize
Utilize and contributes to the resident engagement plan.
Utilize technology and digital platforms to enhance program delivery and engage participants.
Work with
Work cooperatively with other employees, management, residents, and their families.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Life Enrichment Coordinator:
Event planning and coordination
Program development and implementation
Knowledge of therapeutic recreation principles
Activity assessment and evaluation
Budget management
Record keeping and documentation
Familiarity with relevant regulations and compliance standards
Proficiency in utilizing technology for program delivery
Creative problem-solving
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Ability to adapt activities for individuals with diverse needs
Resource and equipment management
Health and safety protocols
Familiarity with various recreational activities and their benefits
Understanding of cognitive and physical limitations in different age groups
Time management and organizational skills
Familiarity with person-centered care approaches
Knowledge of community resources and support services
Ability to handle emergencies and address challenging situations
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Life Enrichment Coordinator:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Empathy and compassion
Active listening
Patience and understanding
Leadership and team management
Adaptability and flexibility
Creativity and innovation
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Collaboration and teamwork
Emotional intelligence and relationship-building.
Conclusion
Life Enrichment Coordinators are instrumental in creating a vibrant and engaging environment for individuals to thrive and enjoy life to the fullest. By possessing a combination of these main responsibilities, hard skills, and soft skills, they can make a significant impact on the overall well-being and happiness of the participants they serve.
