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Ridgeview Health and Rehab Center Honored Audrey Lee During National Activity Professionals Week for Success in Engaging Residents

Activities Directors are a Key to Resident Happiness at Skilled Nursing Facilities

Feb 2, 2023

Ridgeview Health and Rehab Center, the 55-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, honored its activity Director, Audrey Lee, for her work in creating a stimulating and engaging resident environment.

The recognition came during National Activity Professionals Week, Jan. 23-27, 2023. Activity Professionals Week - established by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) - is a national week-long celebration that honors the efforts of activity directors at healthcare facilities. These professionals enhance residents' daily lives by providing opportunities to engage in recreational, intellectual, and creative activities.

Addressing the needs of the community's senior population is what motivates Lee every day. “I most enjoy seeing all our residents' smiling faces as they engage in our activities,” she said. “There is so much one can learn from listening to the stories that our resident's share.”

At Ridgeview HRC, Lee said three of the most popular resident activities include:

• Bingo, which is a resident favorite
• Live tours on the ConnectCareHero social engagement system, which is four large-screen TVs that allow interaction with sister facilities to play games, take tours, and hold competitions
• Religious services, with two held during the week and one on Sunday afternoons

Lee became an activity director in 2022 and hired Jennifer Zimmerman as her Activity Assistant not long after taking the job at Ridgeview. Together they are a dynamic duo. Lee said, “I chose a career in skilled nursing because I love working with the elderly.”

Focusing on Quality of Life

Professionals like Lee and Zimmerman are key players in a facility's care team, creating innovative programming that positively impacts the lives of residents, and identifying new ways to collaborate and support the community. Every day, they strive to support the mission, vision, and commitment to providing quality care and innovative services for which Ridgeview is known.

Research from the National Library of Medicine reports that social engagement promotes physical and mental health in older adults. Keeping their residents inspired, involved, and connected is how Lee and Zimmerman define their mission.

“I am passionate about my job because it warms my heart to see our residents happy and enjoying the daily activities,” said Zimmerman.

To become an activities director, it takes patience and compassion. Professionals working with an aging population meet certain professional standards to become adept and finally certified. They are masters of multi-tasking - providing opportunities for residents to engage in stimulating activities that improve their quality of life while creating a sense of community.