Activity Director

This course will provide opportunities to work in Long Term Care facilities, assisting residents with activities and social needs. After completing the course, you will be able to work as an Activity Director in a Long Term Care setting.

Prepares You For...

Careers:

The Activity Director will be a prepared to work in a

• Long Term Care
• Assisted Living
• Adult Day Program
• Retirement Community
• Community Center
  

Certification:

Certificate of Completion

What You'll Learn...

This program provides you a window into the history of long term care. In addition, program participants will study industry regulations, communications, advocacy, ethics, service delivery, and volunteer management.

Upon completion of this program you will:

• Identify the role of the Activity Director in today's long-term care environment. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of programming options. 
• Show awareness of the role of various therapies in activity programming. 
• Identify the availability, options and uses for adaptive equipment and interventions. 
• Discuss management of resident and community volunteers, including recruitment, training and recognition
• Demonstrate ability to perform needed documentation
• Structure planning for optimal use of environment. 
• Establish and facilitate group and individual participation. 

The professional opportunities to care for the growing number of people who will use the supportive assistance offered in day treatment, assisted living, and long-term care settings are expanding faster than professionals can be trained.  These positions can be rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling.

Activity Directors are responsible for directing, implementing and evaluating all resident activities as well as completing comprehensive assessments and care plan goals. Directing the activity program includes planning of activities for both individuals and groups, implementation of the programs, and monitoring the response to the programs in order to determine if the activities meet the care plan goals for residents.

Instructors will cover content that includes professionalism, documentation and ethics, working with residents with special needs, and adapting ideas to certain demographics within a facility. This course enables Activity Directors to excel by emphasizing the diverse nature of long term care residents and by providing a variety of activity ideas: creative, spiritual, physical, social, educational and sensory. The course focuses on developing caring and passionate professionals that are able to create, implement and evaluate resident centered activities that are part of the individualized care plan.

This training is valid in the following states: WA, NM, KS, OK, TX, MN, MO, WI, OH, TN, NH 

This program is entirely online and is completed at your own pace. When you register, you receive six (6) months to complete this program.

I.    Unit 1
A.    History of long-term care  
B.    Philosophy of person-centered care  
C.    Basic knowledge of the aging process  
D.    Misconceptions  
E.    Physical Changes  
F.    Cognitive changes: Dementia, Alzheimer’s  
G.    Mental Health/Illness  
H.    Psychosocial needs  
I.    Overview of applicable regulations  
J.    The Survey Process  
K.    OBRA resident rights  
L.    Regulations  
M.    Advocacy in self-determination  
N.    Resident/family councils  

II.    Unit 2
A.    Types and techniques used for the admission and discharge process  
B.    Principles of documentation  
C.    Basic performance skills  
D.    Management of internal support staff, budgeting, supplies and outside resources  
E.    Getting to know the person  
F.    Person Centered Care Plan Development  
G.    Evaluation of care plan effectiveness  

III.    Unit 3
A.    Role of the Activity Director  
B.    Programming Options  
C.    Various therapies in activity programming  
D.    Options and Uses for Adaptive Equipment and Interventions  
E.    Management of resident and community volunteers  

IV.    Unit 4
A.    Documentation   
B.    Infection Control  
C.    Optimal use of environment  
D.    Establish and facilitate group and individual participation  
E.    Clinical experience

This program can be taken from either a Mac or a PC. It is compatible with the Windows XP and later operating systems, Firefox, Chrome (preferred), or IE 7 and later browsers. There are no specific computer requirements other than an Internet connection, e-mail account.

Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader are required for this program.

Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
Click here to download the Flash Player.

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment: 

• Long Term Care

Students should be familiar with using a personal computer, mouse, and keyboard. They should be comfortable in an internet environment, and have the ability to launch and close activities and navigate to multiple websites. A valid email address is required for communication.

1.    Can I register for programs if I am an international student?
Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school.  Most schools offer telephone or online registration.

2.    How long does it take to complete a program?
All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace.  When you register, you’ll receive six (6) months to complete the program.  

3.    What if I don't have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?
The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee may be charged for an extension.

4.    Do I have to buy additional materials?
No

5.    Can I get financial assistance?
ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid.  In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.  Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements.

6.    What happens when I complete the program?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.  

7.    Am I guaranteed a job?
ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases.  We don’t provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job.  Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program.  Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

8.    Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction.  The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance.  All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

9.    What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?
In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet.  You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer.  You don’t have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time.  We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is the best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

10.    Can I use a Mac?
Yes

11.    How can I get more information about this program?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button above).  If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the “Contact Us” form to the right.  You may also call us at 1-877-221-5151.  We will answer your questions promptly.  

12.    When can I start the program?
Our programs are all open enrollment.  You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.

Please note:  Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.

13.    Does this program prepare for a certification?
This program is knowledge based course. There is not a certification available.