Activities Assistant
Social Services & Life Enrichment
0-1 years
None, on-the-job training
$16-$21/hr
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Overview
Job Description
Activities assistants help residents stay connected, engaged, and fulfilled through recreational and social programming. Day to day, you plan and lead activities — from group games and exercise classes to creative projects and social events — while also spending one-on-one time with residents who may need extra support or companionship.
No degree is required for this role. What matters most is energy, creativity, and a genuine interest in the people you serve. You work closely with the Activities Director and the broader care team to make sure programming reflects the interests, backgrounds, and abilities of the residents you serve. For many people, this role is where a long career in aging services begins.
Education Requirements
No degree is required for this role. Some employers may prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is provided. Some employers may prefer or value the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential for candidates interested in advancing into more specialized roles.
Resources
A Day In This Role
A typical morning might start with setting up for a group exercise class, then leading a trivia session before lunch. In the afternoon you might work one-on-one with a resident who doesn’t join group activities, help decorate for an upcoming event, or assist the Activities Director with planning next week’s calendar. Every day is different — and the connections you build with residents are what make it meaningful.
Advancement Opportunities: Where this role can take you
Cross-Pathway Note: Activities Assistants who develop a passion for working with residents living with dementia
sometimes move into specialized dementia care roles. Others discover an interest in music
therapy or other clinical pathways. Aging services rewards curiosity — where you start is just the
beginning.