Why should you market your activity program you ask? You want to showcase your program and all that is offered. If you don’t tell them, they won’t know!
Make sure that it is easy for people to learn about your activity program. You want for residents, staff, family members, volunteers, visitors to the community and the state surveyors to know that your offer amazing activities! You put in the work, so showcase your effort!
There are also many ways to accomplish this.
- Activity Calendar – this seems obvious but is sometimes a challenge to understand what the actual purpose of the listed activity is. Take a good look at your calendar through the eyes of someone who is not familiar with your community. What would they think? Is it easy to understand? The goal is to showcase and not confuse. Remember, you are using this calendar to get more people to attend your planned activities!
- “Talkative Residents” – when you want something to be spread quickly, we all know those certain people that enjoy telling others a secret. Why not tell these folks “Something, that nobody else knows” about an upcoming activity or event that you would like to build excitement? This makes them feel special and they love spreading the word.
- Stocked Activity Cart – use a cart when you are doing your 1 to 1 visits. Make sure that the staff all see you using this and explain to them the purpose of your cart visits. Many times, a state surveyor will ask a housekeeper or CNA if they ever see the activity staff doing 1 to 1 visit!
- Morning Managers Meeting – Whenever you are asked about your day never downplay this! Always list all that is on your daily calendar with emphasis on special events. This will help you to gain respect with the other professionals as they will know that you are busy.
- Post Finished Projects for All to See – work together with you marketing team to find the best locations for you to showcase your resident’s work. This will allow them to use these as stopping points during their tours of the community. Post crafts, creative story writing, painting projects, community paper quilt project and much more.
- Facebook Community Page – make sure to take engaging action shots that will showcase your activity. Pay extra attention to backgrounds. Also, make sure that there are signed photo consent forms on file for those photographed. Many times, the corporate office will need to approve photographs prior to posting. Make sure to submit lots of photographs with descriptions to encourage more posting approvals.
- Staff In-Service Meetings – whenever possible, let the staff know of special days coming soon. Ask for them to be your walking commercials for the activity program.
- Community Newsletter – this is such a great way for you to showcase a new activity and special events.
- Bulletin Boards – your monthly calendar is an obvious use of a bulletin board. If you have more than one in your community the possibilities are endless! Showcase artwork, creative writing projects, bored board, this day in history, holiday spotlight and more.
- Activities Introduction to New Team Members – always make a point to meet a new team member and give them an introduction to your job and what you do for the residents. Group activities, 1 to 1 visits, special events, volunteer management and other specific roles in your community.
- Leave a “calling card” or Note – especially key when visiting a room bound resident as this shows proof of visits to family members and possibly state surveyors.
- Community In-Room TV Station – some communities are fortunate to have this capability. Make sure to use this to it’s full potential and market your special events.
- Framed Signage of Events – framing gives it just that extra touch that garners more attention. Place these in strategic locations around the community.
- Create a Buzz – do something that is different and gets the residents talking! This could be as simple as rearranging the furniture for the activity or setting up a balloon display.
- Daily Flyer Sheets – pass these out to advertise the events for the day. Residents appreciate these especially when they are in a larger print. Also put these up at the nurse’s station. If you have an in-house therapy, it is good for the therapist to know what is on for the day.
Let us know if you use these tips and how they work. Join us on our Facebook group Activity Helper.
