Being an activity coordinator in a care home is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. You bring joy, connection, and purpose to residents' lives every day. But with great responsibility comes great pressure - and if you're not careful, burnout can creep in before you even realise it.
Burnout doesn’t just affect you; it impacts your energy, creativity, and ability to deliver engaging activities.
Recognising the warning signs early is key to staying passionate about your role.
Let’s explore five common causes of burnout and how to prevent them.
1. Trying to do it all
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that everything depends on you. You may feel pressure to plan, lead, and execute activities single-handedly, often going above and beyond to meet residents’ needs. But constantly pushing yourself without asking for help leads to exhaustion.
Prevention Tip: Delegate where possible. Get residents involved in setting up activities, ask care staff for support, and consider volunteers or external entertainers. You don’t have to do it all alone.
2. Not enough planning time
Many activity coordinators are expected to run back-to-back activities with little to no time for preparation. When you’re constantly rushing, creativity suffers, and you may start feeling overwhelmed.
Prevention Tip: Schedule protected planning time in your week. Even just an hour to organise materials, tweak your schedule, and brainstorm ideas can make a big difference.
3. Lack of appreciation
A common frustration for activity coordinators is feeling undervalued. Unlike nursing or care staff, your role may not always be recognised as essential - despite the huge impact activities have on residents’ wellbeing.
Prevention Tip: Keep a “success journal” where you record positive feedback, resident smiles, and moments that remind you why your work matters. Share successes with management and advocate for the value of activities in team meetings.
4. Emotional drain
Caring deeply about residents means their struggles can weigh on you. Watching someone decline in health or experiencing loss within the care home community can be emotionally exhausting.
Prevention Tip: Make time for self-care and reflection. Whether it’s talking to a colleague, journalling, or taking a walk on your break, finding a way to process emotions is crucial for long-term wellbeing.
5. Neglecting your own wellbeing
When you’re so focused on making life better for residents, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. Skipping breaks, eating on the go, or losing sleep over activity planning are all warning signs of burnout.
Prevention Tip: Treat your own wellbeing as a priority. A well-rested, healthy coordinator is far more effective than an exhausted one. Take your breaks, eat properly, and don’t feel guilty about switching off after work.
Are you experiencing burnout?
If any of these points sound familiar, it might be time to check in with yourself. I’ve put together a Burnout Questionnaire designed specifically for activity coordinators. It only takes a few minutes and will help you recognise where you need support.
email: info@brightcopperkettles.co.uk with the words Burnout Questionnaire and I'll send you a copy.
Your role is vital, and your wellbeing matters. Take the time to assess how you’re feeling and take action before burnout takes hold.
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