By Brooke DeNisco, Lead Content Writer at Activity Connection, Recreation Therapist
Is Working in Memory Care a Workout?
Working within a memory care community transformed my daily routine into a full-fledged workout, even if I didn’t realize it right away. Every day, I walked thousands of steps, integrating miles of movement into my job as an activity director without ever setting foot in a gym.
Located in a picturesque residential neighborhood, our memory care community embraced outdoor walks and gardening as part of the daily routine.
Daily Exercise in Memory Care
I started each morning by leading an exercise class for our residents, which included stretching, dancing, and chair workouts. These sessions set the tone for an active day and were followed by lively games, such as noodle balloon volleyball and indoor bowling. As I chased after wayward balloons and retrieved errant balls, I rarely found a moment to rest.
Activity Professionals Are Movers
The physical demands continued throughout the day. Transitioning rooms for various activities required moving chairs and tables, adding to my constant movement. Trips down two flights of stairs to fetch documents, attend meetings, or gather supplies kept me on my toes.
Checking in on residents meant walking in the hallways to visit rooms or retrieving items like glasses and sweaters. One thing you learn as an activity director in memory care is that people aren’t going to enjoy the planned activity if they aren’t physically comfortable. Ensuring participants are warm and can see and hear to the best of their ability enhances the activity for everyone. Uncomfortable people don’t want to participate fully, which trickles down and affects the group dynamic and connection.
Routine tasks added another layer of physical activity. Activity directors create engaging displays, decorate for parties, clean activity areas, adjust televisions, collect garbage, and occasionally serve meals. Even during a board game, I moved around helping players.
Especially as a new activity director in memory care, I would often realize I needed a different supply. Unexpected trips to the office and supply closet required daily walking from the third floor to the first floor. The printer was also on the first floor, so any time I printed instructions or trivia, I had to walk downstairs to pick up my document.
Wearing a Pedometer to Work
Every day as an activity director in memory care, I felt like I was getting a workout. It is a tiring job because you’re always interacting and trying to give residents your full attention. I wasn’t sure if I was tired from the intensity of the work or if I was getting actual exercise during work.
I decided to wear a pedometer for a week to find out. I estimated that I walked at least a quarter mile each workday, maybe even more. But the results of the experiment were more dramatic than I expected.
Sunday in Memory Care
My work week started on Sunday. The first Sunday I wore the pedometer was a typical day for an activity director in a memory care community. I took a few people on short walks outdoors. I set up chairs for a spiritual service and gathered coats, purses, and walkers when visiting family members arrived to take their loved one to dinner.
Monday in Memory Care
Monday was an “easy” day. There were no outings or physically demanding activities that day, and I spent several hours at a desk writing chart notes and working on my activity calendar, using the calendar builder on Activity Connection.
Tuesday to Thursday in Memory Care
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were regular (busy) days. I went on an outing, taught chair yoga, called bingo, hosted a tea tasting, and led teams on a scavenger hunt around the building. One afternoon, kids from a local Montessori preschool visited for a sing-along.
On Thursday, I added a few graphic images to my calendar and sent it to the printer. I walked down two flights of stairs to the first floor and discovered my calendar had been printed on dark blue cardstock. I added white copy paper and went back upstairs to hit the print button again. When I returned to the printer, it had an error code. After 20 minutes of fiddling, I gave up and returned to the third floor. I took several more trips to the printer over the day, but ended up running to a copy store to print the calendar. A few participants volunteered to walk to the print shop with me, so at least it was a nice, low-key outing. We stopped to get doughnuts, then finally got the calendar. Of course, I still had to hang the calendar and decorate the border. I have since learned the benefits of outsourcing printing, such as Activity Connection’s print shop.
10,300 Steps a Day
I looked at the pedometer on Thursday afternoon. I walked approximately 18,000 steps during my day as an activity director in a memory care community. The pedometer revealed that on Monday, my “office” day, I still managed to get in nearly 8,000 steps. On Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, my totals were in the 14,000-step range. My weekly average was 10,300 steps a day, equivalent to four or five miles.
For perspective, the Mayo Clinic reports that most Americans walk just 3,000 to 5,000 steps daily. Reaching 10,000 steps is the gold standard, as it helps lower risks for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. It’s a testament to an active lifestyle.
The Physical Demands of Being an Activity Director Are Significant
Sometimes underestimated, the role of an activity director in assisted living is not only rewarding but also physically demanding. Activity directors rarely sit down—unless they’re driving a van or teaching chair exercise. Tracking my steps revealed just how much physical activity can be needed from activity directors and almost everyone working in a care community. I was happily surprised and felt a sense of validation and accomplishment.
Pedometer Recommendations
I used a clip-on pedometer that cost $15. It had good reviews, came in bright colors, and the oversized screen and numbers were easy to read.
Many people use more recent technology such as Fitbits, Oura rings, Apple and Samsung Watches. These range from $100 to $400.
Share Your Experience
If you’re an activity director—or in a similar role that keeps you on your feet, I encourage you to track your steps for a week. We have a tracker if you would like to monitor your progress and share your results. You might be surprised at the results! Doing so can help you set personal fitness goals or provide insight into the physical demands of your job.
Being an activity director isn’t just a job title—it’s a dynamic lifestyle that keeps us moving.
Brooke DeNisco is Lead Content Writer at Activity Connection and a Recreation Therapist who has served in assisted living facilities, day centers, and memory care settings for over 12 years.
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