Kelly Richter

Career Report- RPTM 101

Patty Kleban

November 1, 2017
Date of Interview

October 9th, 2017

Introduction of the Professional

Jerry Stoko is the ‘Activity Director’ at the Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center in Olyphant,

PA. This agency focuses in on caring for elderly and disabled people.

Individuals History at the Agency

Jerry has grown throughout his agency over the many years he has been there. Shortly after

receiving a degree in Psychology Clinical Practice with a minor in Business, Jerry was granted a

job at the Health and Rehab Center. Jerry’s initial assignment was strictly involved with one-on-

one resident interactions. His task was to visit with lower functioning residents and have them

respond positively to their interaction. Over time as he prospered within his positon eventually

becoming Assistant Director. Jerry explained that one day his supervisor suggested that he

further his education and become certified as an Activity Director to help him grow even more

within the facility. Shortly after taking her recommendation, he received his certification, and

his previous supervisor retired. Jerry was assigned her position as Activity Director. 34 years

later Jerry still serves that title while being a potential stand in for similar departments when

needed.

Mission/Purpose

Jerry’s mission as an Activity Director for a retirement and rehabilitation center is to enhance the

quality of life for all residents through assessed leisure interests. He creates opportunities for his
diverse group of residents to exercise their own abilities, have continued involvement in past

interests and assists them in reaching their highest practical level of well-being.

While missions are similar, the purpose of the agency as a whole focuses more on treatment and

care for the residents as opposed to well-being stimulation. Jerry explained the mission of the

agency is to provide extraordinary care for the elderly and disabled in the most professional,

respectful and dignified manner. The Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center tries to create a

“home like” atmosphere that will provide comfort and safety. Caregivers are said to give

consideration, concern and outstanding care for residents and meet each of their needs to

improve health and well-being.

Clientele

The clientele at the Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center occupies a wide age range of residents

as young as 28 and as old as 105. The agency’s demographics are also non-bias; they accept

residents of any race, religion, and belief.

Services Provided

There are many types of services provided to the residents that are organized by the activities

department. Certain calendar events include community trips like shopping, lunch outings, a trip

to the casino and visits to various green spaces. Depending on the season, residents are invited to

garden, summer cookouts and even special events for holidays. The Health and Rehab Center

allows live entertainment in by hosting vocalists, bands, choirs, and dance shows. One of the

most interesting events is the intergenerational program. This program involves children coming

in and interacting with residents to complete different kinds of crafts and various socials. As

expected, there is weekly bingo and trivia contests that are hosted in the activity’s area. The
activities department also provides specialized programs for the cognitively impaired that

include sensory groups and one-on-one interventions for residents who cannot or choose not to

leave their room. Lastly, different types of religious programs are provided such as Worship

Services, Catholic Services, and weekly Rosary are held.

Staffing

Jerry has a very unique and qualified staff. Not including himself, he has seven full-time

employees and two part-time employees. Jerry also has about 20 volunteers who help facilitate

activities and trips the residents partake in.

Funding Source

Money for the activities department’s events are generally funded “in house” by the department

itself. They have a certain budget allotted to them as well as occasional donations. The money is

used to provide quality programs for the residents, purchase supplies when needed and

sometimes it can be used as prizes for games.

Professional Issues

When discussing Jerry’s greatest achievements in his work, he recalled becoming a Certified

Activity Director. Receiving this certifications required a lot of time and effort while growing

within his career. Including up to present day, he still must maintain 30 hours of home study

courses every two years to maintain his certification. Jerry also noted he was the first Activity

Director to initiate the Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents (PEER) with help from

Lackawanna County Ombudsman in northeastern Pennsylvania. He explained six residents were

provided with PEER training for six weeks and graduated. The program still runs throughout his

facility along with other agencies in Pennsylvania as well. Jerry was passionate in saying one of
his biggest celebrations has been being able to work every day and trying to make a difference in

resident life.

While Jerry has some extensive achievements and celebrations, he also faces challenges. One of

his greatest challenges is creating calendar events that meet the needs of all of the residents. Due

to the variety of people (residents who are functioning at a high cognitive level, residents with

Alzheimer’s, residents who previously have experienced a stroke, residents with disabilities and

even residents that are comatose) it is challenging to balance all of the needs and interests for

calendar planning.

It is fair to say that Jerry’s position as Activity Director is integrated into the career pathway of

youth and senior recreation services. He is not only serving the needs of the elderly and

disabled’s leisure interests, but he is also trying to promote their well-being. While his mission

statement it specific to his career, it is also parallel to the recreation, parks and tourism

management mission in supporting leisure and well-being.