Social Services & Life Enrichment

This career pathway provides an opportunity to positively impact residents’ personal lives. By organizing events, offering comprehensive support, curating recreational activities and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team in the coordination of a comprehensive plan of care for residents. These professionals enrich the community and create a positive, healthy, and fulfilling living environment.

Group of elderly women on the couch watching TV with enthusiastic looks

A Career Pathway on the Rise

A rewarding career

In a social services or life enrichment role, every effort counts toward improving the wellbeing of others. It’s a pathway that gives the opportunity to forge rewarding relationships, find a sense of purpose, and directly influence the lives of residents for the better.

Work with people of all backgrounds

By understanding the backgrounds, passions, and interests of those you care for, social service professionals create environments that reflect and honor the diverse identities in the community they care for. 

Advocate for positive change

In caring communities, social service professionals often serve as a voice for residents, advocating for changes that best represent their needs, preferences, and capabilities.

Roles in Social Services & Life Enrichment

  • Volunteer Coordinator

    Recruit, train, schedule, and support volunteers in long-term care, matching them with opportunities that enrich the lives of residents.

    Other Titles: Volunteer Services Coordinator, Volunteer Manager, Community Engagement Coordinator, Activities & Volunteer Coordinator

    Salary: /hr
    Experience:
    1

    3
    year(s)
  • Director of Social Services

    Responsible for planning and administering social service programs, may oversee social workers and other social services staff, and sets goals for the social services department.

    Other Titles: Director of Social Work, Social Services Supervisor

    Salary: $34-$36/hr
    Experience:
    3

    5
    year(s)
  • Social Services Assistant

    Under the supervision of licensed social workers, social services assistants ensure residents receive the services and resources they need to address their social, emotional, and practical needs.

    Other Titles: Social Services Aide, Social Services Associate, Social Work Assistant

    Salary: $25-$28/hr
    Experience:

    1
    year(s)
  • Licensed Social Worker

    Ensure residents’ quality of life by supporting their psychological, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing.
    Salary: $28-$35/hr
    Experience:
    1

    2
    year(s)
  • Spiritual Care

    Offer daily and end of life spiritual care to patients and their families either directly or by helping make connections to other community chaplains or spiritual counselors.

    Other Titles: Chaplain, Pastor, Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Imam, Elder, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Hospice Chaplain, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Director of Spiritual Services

    Salary: $30-$33/hr
    Experience:
    1

    5
    year(s)
  • Activities Director

    An activity director is responsible for the planning, execution, supervision, and the ongoing assessment of activities for residents.

    Other Titles: Life Enrichment Director, Activities Program Director, Director of Therapeutic Recreation

    Salary: $29-$35/hr
    Experience:
    1

    2
    year(s)
  • Activities Assistant

    Organize and facilitate various recreational and social activities for residents.

    Other Titles: Therapeutic Recreation Aide/Specialist, Activities Coordinator/Specialist/Assistant, Recreation Coordinator, Social Programs Coordinator, Resident Activities Coordinator, Life Enrichment Specialist

    Salary: $16-$21/hr
    Experience:

    1
    year(s)
  • You are providing the care that you would want to receive.

    Being able to help them with what they need, making sure that they have all of the resources that they have available. And sometimes you’re that one touchstone that they have.
    Jamie Miller
    BSN, RN, Director of Nursing