Retirement Place Reviews

What certification/training is needed for an Activities Director position at an active retirement community?

I live in Texas and I have my eye on an Activities Director position for an active retirement community that will open next spring. My background includes event planning, volunteering, marketing and property management, but no formal Activities Director experience. What certification or training might I get into in order to make me a more desireable candidate for this position?

Public Comments

1. in missouri all you have to be is 24 and have a clean driving records, no certifications are needed
2. You can either get a BS in recreation therapy or get work experience as a nursing home/assisted living activities professional, complete a course through the state healthcare association (professional trade group for nursing homes) and then sit for a national certification exam. If you want to bypass that, get as much experience as possible with alzheimer's disease. Other than that you seem to be an attractive candidate for such a position.