Now is the time to acknowledge, educate and empower activity and life enrichment professionals so they can care for themselves and in turn meaningfully engage residents so that they can live with purpose each day.

It is with great pride that we present the manifesto of the #ActivitiesStrong Initiative.

Reflecting on the lives of our residents and the discussions I've had with providers since the beginning of COVID-19, I find that our industry is stepping up to meet this challenge in ways that are breathtaking in their bravery, creativity and resilience. We are gifted with one of the best and most passionate workforces in the world, who love older adults, and we have a real mission to honor and help older adults live with purpose.

As the new decade begins, it is time to move from the old standard of activities to one of authentic and measurable resident engagement. This type of engagement is only possible when all departments within an organization commit to understanding the needs and preferences of each resident and then offering them engagement opportunities that bring meaning and purpose to their lives.

There are two essential ingredients in the recipe for person-centered, meaningful resident engagement. The first is that engagement opportunities a provider offers must be based on a comprehensive understanding of the needs and preferences of each resident in their care. The second is that a data-driven approach must be used to assess the success of engagement activities on positively impacting the health and well-being of each resident.

The WHY of resident engagement is to help older adults find meaning in their lives and stay connected to their purpose regardless of their interests or cognitive changes.