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Sunrise Skilled Nursing & Rehab Honored Garrison and Weller During National Activity Professionals Week for Success in Engaging Residents

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

Feb 3, 2023

Sunrise Skilled Nursing & Rehab, the 85-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, honored its activity directors, Angela Garrison and Meri Beth Weller, for their 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 these ladies every day. “We most enjoy getting to know the residents and seeing the difference we get to make in their lives by providing stimulating and exciting daily activities for them,” Garrison noted.

At Sunrise, Weller said three of the most popular resident activities include:

• Bingo and trivia contests
• Coffee and conversations
• Arts and crafts

Focusing on Quality of Life

Professionals like Garrison and Weller 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. Both ladies have been with Sunrise for years. Every day, they strive to support the mission, vision, and commitment to providing quality care and innovative services for which Sunrise 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 Garrison and Weller define their mission.

“I am passionate about my job because of my passion for our elders,” said Weller. “I look forward to each day and getting to make a difference in their lives,” added Garrison.

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.