Director of Life Enrichment

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Location : Wallingford, CT

Schedule : Day Shift - 40 hours per week

Summary of Position

The Director of Life Enrichment responsibilities include oversight of Recreation staff, implementation of best practices, development and implementation of recreational programming to meet the unique needs of each resident.

Ensure that the lifestyle, therapeutic environment, and interventions are appropriate while also innovative to enhance the lives of those we serve.

This role acts as a resource to Residents, staff, and families to support Masonicare’s commitment to providing a higher quality of life for individuals living with Dementia.

This Leadership role serves as the dementia care expert for the community, leads all aspects of Recreational programming and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being, safety, and comfort for our residents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Oversees and demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, excellent organization and time management skills.

Provides coaching, processes payroll, counseling, and performance reviews for all direct reports. Hires, trains, schedules, supervises, directs and evaluates direct reports.

Maintains commitment to fostering teamwork within the department.

Develop and offer new opportunities to enhance Resident lifestyles through outings, programming, education, resources, wellness, etc.

Examples may include Art Galleries, Theater, Music, Religious and Cultural programs. Plans, organizes and facilitates with assigned staff a wide variety of programs / trips for groups of various sizes, cognitive / physical abilities, and cultural preferences.

• Acts as an Expert of current programming and technology within the Recreational Department, while consistently seeking new innovative opportunities to introduce to the community.
• Oversees volunteer program which includes recruitment, scheduling, interviewing, training and annual recognition.
• Maintains and establishes Quinnipiac Students in Residence Program. In addition, partners with local organizations, schools, and clubs to support intergenerational programming.
• Generating opportunities for Leadership to collaborate with Residents to support and enhance resident involvement and engagement.

Assist Residents in the formation of various clubs and organizations and interest groups, generating opportunity for leadership and involvement in the workings of the community.

Develops and maintains contact with community agencies, organizations, and area health care professionals through outreach and hosting.

Coordinates with vendors to develop innovative programming that supports cognitive impairment, purpose, life enrichment, resident choice with dignity and respect.

• Interview all new Residents, provide them with a welcome basket and provide new Resident with orientation to building, available amenities, activities, etc.
• Write and edit a monthly newsletter, copies of which will be provided to each Resident and appropriate staff. These will be distributed to referral sources and recent inquiries and used as a marketing tool.

Plan a monthly calendar of events for Residents that includes ongoing diversified activities that meet the religious, social, emotional, educational and recreational needs of the Residents.

• Oversees Volunteer program within the community. Selectively recruits volunteers to assist in social programs.
• Purchase and prepare seasonal decorations for all major Holidays within the community with Executive Director approval.
• Prepares and arranges materials in preparation for recreation activities. Monitors resident satisfaction with regard to community activities and enrichment.
• Provides ongoing communication to the Resident Service Director, Executive Director and other department heads regarding staffing issues or concerns.
• Responsible for the Recreation department’s Annual Financial Budget planning and expenses, and ongoing expense management.
• Oversees, verifies, and coordinates Resident attendance of recreational events and programming.
• Attends weekly manager meetings, oversees and attends bi-weekly Memory Care meetings, and attends weekly IDT Meetings and collaborates with the wellness team to meet recreational and therapeutic goals related to services plans while supporting overall quality of life.

Provides alternative options for care planning to meet the residents’ needs successfully.

Develop, administers, coordinates Dementia Care Training to all new staff during general orientation and ensures all staff are fully trained.

In addition, provides ongoing training to staff annually related to Memory care. Trainings / support may include monthly dementia-related in-services to all associates, coaching, mentoring and micro trainings regularly and consistently to empower and support staff in their roles.

Collaborates with team members to discuss resident behaviors and works as a team to provide non-pharmaceutical approaches to deal with disruptive behaviors.

Also, collaborates with Families / responsible parties to provide ongoing Education & Support related to issues or topics.

Provides frequent communication with families including sending calendar newsletters, pictures, emails, and phone calls, providing positive, reassuring communication.

Collaborates with the Culinary Service Director, ensures proper nutrition, snacks and hydration are provided during recreational programming when appropriate.

In addition, develops alternative dining initiatives to introduce innovative dining experiences.

Other job duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, gerontology or therapeutic recreation or related field; non-degreed individuals with at least 5 years direct dementia-related resident experience preferred.

Experience :

• Must have minimum two (2) years' experience within a senior living environment specializing Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in a hands-on supervisory capacity.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing staff, including coaching, counseling and progressive disciplinary action.
• Must possess a passion for working with seniors with dementia and improving their quality of life.
• Has a thorough understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.
• Has excellent communication, organization and time management skills.
• Has basic typing skills and computer knowledge; familiarity with MS Word, Excel, Publisher and creative software.

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