Out with the new, in with the old for nursing activity
by Randy Johnson, reporter

    Students who enjoy helping the elderly might want to consider becoming a nursing home activities director.

    Ryan Keenan, the instructor for the TCC nursing home activities director course, wants more people to start thinking about such a career.

    “This class has been around for a while,” he said. “The problem is that not many people are made aware it exists.”

    The course is required by the state, is non-credit and is the only course needed to become a director.

    “A lot of people believe that the director of a nursing home is the only job this class allows you to do, but there are many other job alternatives as well,” he said.

    The class guides students though activity direction and covers topics such as marketing and long-term care.

    During the class, students must complete a 90-hour internship, receive a letter from the administrator and plan and coordinate a party.

    “The class was a lot of fun,” Nelda Chandler, student, said. “It also taught me a lot about organizational skills and instilled a greater sense of confidence in my daily life.”

    The class is intended not only for directors but also for assisted living, independent living and Alzheimer's facilities.

    “I was skeptical at first,” Michele Stewart, TCC student, said. “But the deeper I got into the curriculum, the more I began to realize what it was this job really consisted of.

    “The class made me feel like what I was doing had a greater purpose than just what was on the surface,” she said.

    The class also focuses on working with others, and through activities and projects helps build a closeness between students and workers.

     “The class has helped me become closer to my peers and made me more accepting to others’ views and ideas,” Stewart said

    An advanced class is also available.

    “Even though the first class is the only one required, we recommend that a student take both,” Keenan said.

    “It just gives you a broader outlook,” he said.

    The advanced class centers more on marketing and staff development and specializes in training activity consultants in long-term care.

    “I got so much out of the first class, that I felt almost obligated to take the advanced class.” Chandler said. “I just couldn’t help myself.”

    The class, offered only on NE Campus, meets Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The advanced class meets Tuesday and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.

    “We encourage students to give the class a try,” Keenan said.