Are you constantly balancing the need to provide meaningful engagement for residents with the expectations of their families and management?
The Activity Coordinator role is one that comes with a significant amount of pressure, especially when you fear being judged for not providing enough, or the right kind of, activities.
This fear can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to dictate your approach.
In the care home environment, the expectations from families and management can be high. Families often have an emotional investment in the care of their loved ones, and management is focused on maintaining a positive reputation and meeting regulatory standards. When you’re responsible for planning and executing activities, it’s easy to feel scrutinised by both parties.
This fear of judgement can lead to second-guessing your decisions, overloading the schedule with activities to prove you’re doing enough, or even resorting to “safe” activities that don’t fully engage residents but avoid potential criticism. While these reactions are understandable, they can result in burnout and, ironically, less meaningful engagement for residents.
Constantly striving to meet perceived expectations without room for flexibility or creativity can lead to burnout. When you’re drained, it’s challenging to bring the energy and enthusiasm needed to create engaging activities.
When fear drives you to focus on quantity over quality, activities may become less impactful. This can lead to a disconnect between the activities provided and the actual needs and interests of the residents.
Fear of judgement can stifle creativity. You might avoid trying new activities that could greatly benefit residents simply because they don’t fit into a traditional mould or might be seen as too risky.
When activities are designed more to appease others than to truly engage the residents, the people who suffer most are the residents themselves. They may become disinterested or even resistant to participating in activities that don’t resonate with them.
To provide the best possible care and engagement, it’s important to shift your focus from external judgements to the actual needs of your residents.
Here’s how you can do that:
Try to centre your activities around the residents’ interests, abilities, and wellbeing. When activities are truly resident-focused, both families and management are more likely to recognise their value, even if they differ from traditional expectations.
Foster transparent communication with the families of residents. Regularly update them on the activities you’re offering and why these choices are made. Involving them in the planning process or gathering feedback can also help build trust and reduce the fear of being judged.
Work with management to set realistic goals and expectations for the activity programme. Make sure these goals align with the resources available and the needs of the residents. Clear, achievable objectives can reduce the pressure to constantly prove your worth.
Keep detailed records of the activities you provide and the responses from residents. Regularly reviewing this documentation can help you assess what’s working and what’s not. It also provides concrete evidence of the thought and care you put into your programming, which can be reassuring to both families and management.
Embrace a growth mindset. Understand that not every activity will be a perfect fit for every resident, and that’s okay. Use each experience as a learning opportunity rather than a source of stress. Over time, this approach will help you build a more effective and responsive activity programme.
Don’t hesitate to ask for support from your colleagues or management. Collaboration can lead to new ideas and shared responsibilities, which can ease the burden on you as an individual. Additionally, discussing your fears with trusted colleagues can provide reassurance and new perspectives.
Sometimes, fear stems from a lack of understanding on the part of others. If this is the case in your workplace, create opportunities where you can educate management and families about the complexities of dementia care and the importance of personalised, flexible activities. When they understand the reasoning behind your choices, they’re less likely to judge harshly.
At the heart of your role is the wellbeing of the residents. While it’s natural to be concerned about how others view your work, the true measure of success is the positive impact you have on those in your care. When residents are engaged, happy, and participating in activities that bring them joy, the opinions of others tend to fall into place.
Families want to see their loved ones thriving, and management wants to see a well-run, compassionate care environment. By focusing on resident-centered care and maintaining open, honest communication, you can build trust with both groups. Over time, this trust can alleviate the fear of judgement, allowing you to confidently deliver the meaningful engagement that residents deserve.
The fear of being judged by families or management is a common challenge for care home activity coordinators, but it doesn’t have to be paralysing. By prioritising the needs of your residents, fostering open communication, and embracing a growth mindset, you can overcome this fear and create a truly enriching environment. Remember, the ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for those in your care, and when you keep that goal in focus, the rest will follow.
Your work as an activity coordinator is invaluable, and with confidence in your approach, you can continue to make a profound difference in the lives of residents, no matter the expectations of others.
Looking for support to overcome the fear of judgement and create a truly resident-focused activity programme? Join the Activity Coordinators Toolbox, where you'll find resources, guidance, and a community designed to help you build confidence, foster trust with families and management, and deliver meaningful, engaging activities.
Sign up today and take the next step toward making a profound difference in residents' lives!
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