Engagement Specialist

About the role

If you're someone who loves creating meaningful moments and building real connections, this could be a great opportunity for you. The Mather is an award-winning, wellness-focused luxury senior living community, and we are seeking a compassionate, creative, and engaging individual to join our team in this full-time, hourly role. In this position, you will support resident engagement across the continuum-including Assisted Living, Memory Support, and Skilled Nursing-helping to create experiences that foster connection, purpose, and joy. In this role, you'll lead and facilitate a dynamic daily schedule of programs within our Life Center, including both group and one-on-one experiences. You'll bring creativity to life through music, movement, art, storytelling, cultural celebrations, and more-while thoughtfully engaging residents with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. You'll also play a key role in building meaningful relationships with residents and families, supporting care planning, and helping translate individual preferences and wellness goals into engaging, personalized experiences. You'll collaborate with colleagues and residents to develop new program ideas, support community events and outings, and create an environment that feels welcoming, uplifting, and engaging throughout the day-not just during scheduled programs. From preparing spaces and materials to encouraging participation and gathering feedback, your work will directly shape the resident experience. At The Mather, we live our values of being Inclusive, Resilient, Bold, and Impactful, and bring them to life through the meaningful experiences we create for our residents each day. If you're energized by collaboration, inspired by creativity, and passionate about working with older adults, we would love to connect with you. This position is full-time, hourly, and located on-site at The Mather in Evanston, IL. Weekend, holiday and evening availability required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Facilitates group and individual engagement of Life Center residents: Adheres to Culture of Creativity model, implementing best practices for group and 1:1 engagement with music, movement, theater, visual art, nature, writing, storytelling/legacy, nature immersion, culinary arts, sensory experience, inquiry-based learning, and meaningful celebrations of holidays & rituals within rich and consistent daily routine. Implements best practices for engaging residents with diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. Engages residents in meaningful connection 1:1 as assigned. Supports programming across the continuum as assigned, including supporting participation of Life Center residents in community events, amenities, outings, etc. Delivers programs within Creating My Possibilities framework for residents living with cognitive impairment: utilizes best practices for environmental and material set-up, group structure, communication, strengths-based program design, and transitions when engaging residents with dementia. Supports utilization of volunteers as assigned within Life Center programs. Participates in resident interview, documentation, and care planning processes: Completes intake interviews, care plans, documentation, etc. within the EMR system as assigned. Delivers 1:1 and group experiences that translate knowledge of individual preferences, needs, strengths, and wellness goals into daily life. Participates in care plan meetings as assigned. Develops new program ideas, preps upcoming programming experiences, and ensures active program participation: Assists in development and distribution of resident communications/printed/digital materials in alignment with brand standards Collaborates with colleagues and residents to identify new opportunities for resident engagement. Identifies opportunities for programs, including identifying resources and preparation required, potential times/locations/participants, and identifying methods for utilizing internal and external creative strengths or resources. Encourages active participation through promoting programs & calendars, supporting successful delivery, and incorporating resident feed-forward into future program design. Communicates with families as assigned: including building relationships that support resident engagement, assisting with family visits, outings, or special events and inviting family participation in special initiatives. Adapts environment to foster engagement: Prepares Life Center amenity spaces for group and 1:1 experiences that foster high levels of engagement. Co-facilitates programs with independent contractors or colleagues. Monitors therapeutic environment at all times of day, including times when no formal groups are occurring, to ensure that the environment is welcoming, uplifting, and engaging following Mather guidelines. Ensures meaningful transitions pre- and post- scheduled programs. Maintains holiday decorations/special displays following Mather

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