National Activity Professionals Day, celebrated the fourth Friday in January, is the day to celebrate all activity coordinators and social care practitioners’ creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication to empowering care home residents across the country to live the richest and fullest lives possible. National Activity Professionals Day was founded by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP), the only organization exclusively representing activity professionals in geriatric settings. In 1980, activity associations across the nation were surveyed to determine if they needed a national association. As a result of the survey, NAAP was formed with a small, dedicated group of activity professionals. In a few years, NAAP grew largely, and Sister Pat Murphy was elected as the first president. To appreciate and honor the significant role they play in enriching the lives of individuals entrusted to their care, NAAP created National Activity Professionals Day. The first National Activity Professionals Day was celebrated in 1984.
At PPH, we have a dedicated team of Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy professionals who make a difference in the lives of our residents every day. Beyond social activities, our team ensures that residents are given an opportunity to participate in activities that interest them and ultimately improve their wellness. Fostering a sense of community is one of the staples of the Life Enrichment program at PPH. You can read more about the team and programs at PPH here.
PPH Director of Recreation Therapy, Ginny Maciocha, speaks of the importance of providing a well-rounded Life Enrichment and Recreation Therapy program to our residents. “At the end of the day, I do what I do because of the residents!” Some of the benefits of a program like PPH’s includes lowering the risk of developing or helping to manage health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.
If you know an activity professional, take the time to thank them for their work and dedication!
