THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 1997 TAG: 9701220006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 32 lines
Jan. 19-25 is National Activity Professionals Week. This time has been set aside for the community to recognize the valuable contribution that activity professionals make to the quality of life for residents of care facilities.
Whether in a large palatial retirement center, an assisted-living facility, a small nursing home or at a day-care center for senior citizens, these ladies and gentlemen selflessly give of their creative talents and energies to better the lives of their residents.
Activities include bingo, mall outings, concerts at the Virginia Beach Pavilion, a complete manicure and reading the newspaper to the residents. Actually, the list is almost unending.
Many times, motivated by the spirit of his job, a sensitive activity director has stopped at the drugstore on the way home to pick up something special that one of his residents would like to have but cannot get out to get and, more often than not, cannot afford.
It is not unusual for the staff of the facility to be the only living friends and family that the resident has.
Yes, care facility residents need nursing for their physical needs, but it is a priceless thing when the activity professional is able to provide an amusing distraction with crafts or a simple, caring conversation.
GERALD T. JOHNSON
Director of ministry
Chapter & Verse Ministries Inc.
Norfolk, Jan. 18, 1997