Seven local activities directors are changing the way the publicviews activities at area nursing homes, rehabilitation facilitiesand hospitals.

“A lot of people think it’s just about playing bingo, but it’smore than that,” said Marvin Brumfield, the activities director atLincoln Residential, a center for mentally handicapped adults.

The state-qualified activities directors attempt to coverseveral areas, such as physical, social, religious, music, arts andcrafts, when entertaining residents. Their efforts will be honoredfrom Jan. 21-27 for National Activity Professionals Week.

Each day the directors have a variety of activities planned tomeet the needs of every resident or patient.

“They have different personalities, so we try to find thingsthat each person will enjoy,” said Jenny Scott, activities directorat Beverly Healthcare, formerly Brook Manor.

Some of the common activities for residents in nursing homes,rehabilitation centers and hospitals include singing, playinggames, making arts and crafts, playing with animals, exercising,watching movies and eating their favorite foods.

The activities usually involve some type of therapy, whetherit’s physical or mental.

“We work hard at keeping their circulation from going onvacation,” said Country Brook Living Center Activities DirectorLinda Tucker.

The directors try to find what the residents enjoyed doingbefore moving to their new setting, then allow them to continuethat.

“Most of their lives these ladies have quilted and sewn, so wedo that a lot because that’s what they like,” said Rhonda Deer,Silver Cross’ activities director.

Many of the activities are made possible by volunteers from thecommunity. Local church groups, children’s groups, civic groups andstudents volunteer their time.

“We couldn’t do it without the community support. We appreciateeveryone who gets involved,” said Shea Johnson, activities directorat the Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility.

The majority of the elderly residents enjoy spending time withenergetic children. Each year one of the Brookhaven nursing homesrecognizes this by having a junior/senior day filled with games andstudents from Lipsey Middle School.

“The bonding between them is incredible that day and many timesthe students come back to visit,” said Tucker.

All the activities directors agree volunteers are vital to thehappiness of residents and patients. They usually are able to findan abundance of people wanting to lend a helping hand.

“A lot of people call us about volunteering and sometimes wecall people,” said Debbie Parkman, of Haven Hall Nursing Home.

During the month of December, the activities directors say theyare swamped with phone calls from caring members of the community.It really makes them glad to have so many people wanting to help,but they often wish more people would get involved during the restof the year.

The activities directors strive to find interesting ways to keepresidents entertained, and also make sure they do not becometotally detached from the world outside the facilities.

“I make sure all my clients are involved in the community. Forinstance, going out to eat every once in a while so they’re in’normal’ settings,” said Brumfield. “Part of my job is to make themfeel as normal as we are, even though they may havedisabilities.”

Although the activities directors plan all the events, they donot have complete control over what type of activities take place.Each month residents have the opportunity to give suggestions andideas to the directors.

Each activities director in the area has shown a great love fortheir job. They enjoy making other people happy.

“It feels good to seem them smiling and having a good time,”said Beth Beeson, from the sub-acute unit of King’s DaughtersMedical Center.