National Activity Professionals (NAP) Week is January 22nd – 28th. Each year, facilities across the nation pause to celebrate the role activity professionals play in improving the quality of life for elders across the health care continuum. The leisure and recreation the activities department provides, touch the lives of many and give new meaning to the residents’ lives.
This year’s theme is Celebrating Life, Touching Hearts. National Activity Professionals Week is celebrated the fourth week in January. The week-long recognition was created by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP). It was created to provide a format to honor and recognize the dedicated activity professionals who make a significant contribution to the residents’ quality of life.
The activity profession has evolved dramatically over the years as State, and federal regulations have placed heightened value on quality of life activities. Today’s activity professionals plan, implement and evaluate person-centered, meaningful activities, specifically adapted to meet the needs and interests of each resident. Their particular training prepares them to work with diverse populations in a variety of settings and includes thorough assessment, care planning, and evaluation for each resident.
The activities department at JMHS provides pet visits, music, exercise, intergenerational programs, community outings, creative-expressive programs, cognitively challenging games, cultural programs, educational opportunities, spirituality, clubs and special events, programs for the cognitively impaired, domestic activities, and so much more.
Johnson Memorial Health Services would like to recognize and thank our Activities Staff which includes: Manager Gail Schlimme, Kris Consentino, Nancy Fosse, Sallianne Gottschall, Ben Gustafson, Colleen Nelson, Saige Ochsendorf, Diane Seefeld, and our resident dog, Dusty. Their hard work and dedication to providing quality activities to our residents give them an enhanced sense of pride, positive self-esteem and self-respect.
For more information on the JMHS Activity Department, please contact Gail Schlimme, the Activities Manager at 320-769-2350.