Nathaniel

Great article, recreation and activities is difficult to to find staff for. Often seen as "entry level" without promotion potential, it was a struggle to find ANY applicants prior to the pandemic. Most of the applicants we got were people who didn't have any experience with seniors, but were looking for: 1. career change, 2. getting back into the workforce after time off, or 3. work schedule that compliments their family schedule (stay at home mom/dad). The last four people we hired lasted less than 2 months, with a few of them lasting a week. What worked at other companies, previous companies I worked for would transition the more "outgoing" staff into the recreation program. Care aides, housekeepers, dining servers; the staff who have the "it" factor, they light up a room when they walk in, and work well with seniors. Although we hate to steal staff from other departments, those who are outgoing often thrived in their new role as activity "ambassadors," and saw how promising a career in senior recreation can be.