Forum Discussion

Maybe you need to take some time off.
At one point in my career, I took two and a half months off.
I was sick so I had to take the time off. I was not sure if I was going to go back.
I did. Most employees realized finally how hard I worked
I felt renewed when I went back

I do not know what your situation is. Is there someone you can talk to about this??

At the very least, you can have a staff meeting to see why your staff members do not care

Here is a link https://www.goldencarers.com/what-to-include-in-a-staff-meeting/5106/

The other option is to step down as Activity Director and assume the role of Activity Assistant. There must be an available position. Maybe one of the non-caring staff members needs to be fired, or maybe you can suggest that this person quits.

This is a difficult situation with possible complications

GOOD LUCK

Thank You Susan. I have been going back and forth with myself about letting go or taking vacation to see how I feel later. Before I became the activity director resident's didn't do anything. The previous director's didn't motivate them to be active. Now I have a high participation rate. They love coming to activities. They talk about the next activity. I have special events there ex. car shows. I honor our veterans. We go out. The resident's that didn't like coming out of their rooms are now in my daily activities. I have the community involved. Families and volunteers thank me everyday for what I do. I have brought our program along ways because I am so hands on. I don't have an assistant. I do it all by myself. I will pray and then go from there. Thank you again.

Sunya,
It sounds like you are doing a great job.
Have you discussed this with the administrator? I know this can be tricky especially if he is not on your side.
Who are the staff members that do not do anything??
You should be proud of yourself. As you said the residents enjoy the activities you provide.
Who could do a better job than you??
Try to ignore the naysayers
Remember you are doing this for the residents. They must love you.

What would you do if you were not the activity director??
Personal satisfaction counts for something.

Again GOOD LUCK
No matter what you decide, it should feel right to you.

Are you able to utilise volunteers to help lighten your workload. Your first priority is to yourself. If you burn out you are no good to the residents or anyone around you. Take some time off, recharge and come back ready to go. This industry needs people of your high caring calibre. The no carers are out there we all know that, sometimes you wonder why they are working in this industry. We continue to do what we do because we care and if that means doing it alone then so be it , we can do it as I feel we are a unique type of people that do our job. Lot of people think it's just cups of tea and concerts, but we know better. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing, take strength from your residents , but please put yourself own wellbeing first. Good luck and sing a little song.

I'm in a similar situation. It can be overwhelming and it's easy to get burnt out. People don't realize all the duties that an activities director takes on in their role and a lot of times you aren't appreciated. I find if I'm not here nothing happens and that's a lot of stress to carry. It's a lot for one person to do on their own. I agree volunteers can help but it's not as easy as it sounds to find people who will consistently come in to help - and if you are depending on them that makes it tough. I feel like I keep being given more and more tasks and it's just too much. I can't do anything well because it's too many things on my plate at one time. I have yet to find the answer except for feeling I'm going to have to tell my ED that things have to slow down and we need to take a step back and get one thing working at a time. It doesn't help that most of the staff and care managers aren't involved in helping with activities. There's always an excuse. And for most communities dining and activities are the most important things for families. It should have more support so we can be successful

Deborah sounds like you're doing a good job also hang in there
I am sure the residents appreciate all you do even if the staff does not
Perhaps it's time to have a meeting with your staff and the ED

Hi Sunya, try delegating some of your tasks to your staff, they may be so use to you taking charge and doing it all by yourself that they have become complacent and bored in their roles. A little bit of empowerment goes a long way in making a person feel good about themselves and their worth, This will promote good feelings , give a new meaning to their role and possibly lighten your load and make you feel positive and enthused about your role and worth. Try and ensure that the least little thing another staff member does for you and your team is acknowledged with a thank you, it works towards closing the gap of them and us. Nurses also feel overworked and unappreciated, so when someone thanks them they feel they have been validated. I started with one nurse who ran the unit, everyone followed her lead, I would go up to her everyday and say "thank you for your help today" the nurses in the unit now help with assisting residents to get to activity with no complaints. I also direct my staff to help the nurses with small tasks if they have time, I now see nurses join in activities with residents that they never did before. This did not happen over night, it is still a work in progress.