Celebrating National Activity Providers and Professionals

Each year, we celebrate National Activity Providers and Professionals Week to honor those who enhance the lives of older adults through joy, connection, and engagement. Activity professionals play a vital role in promoting well-being and ensuring that every resident feels valued. This spotlight features Kennedy Jason, the Director of Lifestyle Engagement and Dementia Coordinator for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Oakmont Campus, whose impactful work transforms lives in aging services.

A Day in the Life 

What does a typical day look like in your job?
It is never the same thing twice! The average day includes a stand-up meeting with leadership and a huddle with my team to relay the information. Then, I typically offer one activity before lunch and two after lunch. I mainly facilitate groups for our skilled dementia neighborhood, so there are lots of music therapy groups, pet visits, and food groups.

How do you plan your activities?
I have an amazing team that inspires me and generates new ideas. Usually, one person suggests an idea, and the rest of us take it and run with it! I like to play on the “national” days when I can—National Doughnut Day and Chocolate Pie Day—and that is always a hit.

Moments of Joy 

What do you enjoy most about leading activities for older adults?
I love hearing all of their stories about their lives: careers, raising families, and silly memories. I also just have so much fun with the residents! They are always making me laugh. Lastly, I like to help older adults experience new things—just last week, we had a pig come visit us from a local rescue. Many of the folks said they had never met a pig before!

What types of activities do the residents enjoy the most?
Residents especially feel connected to music, animals, and intergenerational programming. We had a lot of youth volunteers this summer, and they really breathed new life into our residents, especially those living with dementia.

Can you share a story about a resident whose life improved because of an activity or event you organized?
This isn’t a specific event necessarily, but a resident of our department recently passed away. Her son shared that our department helped her live to be 98 years old and that our engagement really kept her spirit alive for as long as possible. I thought this was a beautiful testimony to how important it is to provide person-centered engagement. Leisure and enjoyment make our lives worth living, and that doesn’t change as we get older!

Teamwork & Inclusion

Do you involve your colleagues in planning or participating in activities?

I love to involve my colleagues in anything and everything! Some of our best events have been in collaboration with the Dining Services Department, who make incredible food, or with the Director of Nursing, who has such creative ideas and will do anything to make the residents happy.

Do you include family members or loved ones of the residents in the activities?
YES—always! It’s so special to create opportunities for residents and their family members to connect in meaningful ways. One of my favorite memories from 2024 was attending a Pittsburgh Pirates game where a resident’s daughter caught a fly ball and gave it to her mother. It was a moment of joy that wouldn’t have happened without family involvement!

Goals & Aspirations 

What are your goals for activities programming in aging services?
My goals are to offer more holistic, person-centered, and therapeutic activities to all residents in long-term care, especially those with dementia. I hope to see the field expand to include more music therapists, recreation therapists, and art therapists. Ultimately, I want older adults to feel more empowered, valued, and connected to their creativity, personal autonomy, and inner child.

What advice would you give someone starting in aging services, particularly in activities? How do you stay motivated?
Your key drivers in this role are your work ethic and a positive attitude. Looking at the bright side of things as often as possible will give you the momentum to show up every day, ready to make someone’s day better. I stay motivated by reflecting on the good stories, how I made someone smile, introduced them to their new favorite meal, or taught them something new.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The best tip I ever got about working with older adults is: “That person is someone’s baby.” It was a sweet reminder to always offer the best care and utmost respect to the individuals we serve. 😊

In Closing 

Activity professionals bring creativity, compassion, and dedication to their work, serving as a bridge to connection, joy, and personal fulfillment for older adults. During National Activity Providers and Professionals Week, we celebrate their vital contributions to building lively, person-centered communities. They inspire laughter, create cherished memories, and remind us of the importance of engagement at every stage of life.

Image credited to Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Oakmont Campus.