An enrichment professional wears a thousand hats.

Not only are we responsible for the daily duties and demands outlined in our job description but we often find ourselves in the roles of confidant, companion, counselor, friend (sometimes foe) to our residents and their families. These relationships are of course what drive us to do what we do. It is within these relationships we find connection, meaning, and purpose – knowing we have helped the lives of each other(s).

That said, there is often a mounting stress associated with enrichment professionals – because we constantly have to come up with the newest and greatest program day after day, week after week, month after month.

The Challenges

Another month (in our world – another calendar) is always upon us – our work is never done. Our marketing teams promote and advertise “around the clock” activities; our corporate teams expect it. But for those of us faced with the challenge of creating, coordinating, planning, promoting, and implementing these “round-the-clock” daily, weekly, monthly calendar programs — the magnitude can be overwhelming! It’s no wonder we sometimes fall back on whatever we did last year and the year before and so on.

There’s simply not enough time in the day to sit and dream up volumes of fantastic new ideas amongst all the other responsibilities at hand. When I was serving as a Lifestyle Director and charged with overseeing the planning of all programs, events, and activities for my CCRC, (FOUR levels of care) the pressure to not only meet but exceed resident expectations was astounding. (I don’t have to go into details – you know – you’ve felt it too).

I always wished there was a place I could go for premier activity ideas, specific to Independent Living. But there wasn’t. So I decided to create that place.

What is our goal at Ripe?

It is simple – to be THE place for enrichment professionals to find activity, event, and program ideas, specific to Independent and Assisted Living environments.

So, who’s got your back?

We do. At long last. Amen and Hallelujah!