Activities Assistant

Paradigm Healthcare · Houston, TX Full Time

$25017 – $25017 / year

Apply Now → Add to Compare

Job Description

Description Job Purpose: - The Activities Assistant at Paradigm Healthcare is responsible for supporting the planning and execution of engaging and therapeutic activities for residents. This role aims to enhance the quality of life and promote the well-being of residents by providing stimulating and enjoyable experiences in a healthcare setting. Key Responsibilities: - Assist in planning, organizing, and implementing a variety of recreational activities tailored to the interests and abilities of residents. - Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure activities are aligned with residents' care plans and therapeutic needs. - Encourage resident participation in activities to promote social interaction and cognitive stimulation. - Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of activities, making adjustments as necessary to meet the diverse needs of residents. - Maintain a safe and supportive environment during activities, adhering to all safety and health regulations. - Assist in setting up and cleaning up activity areas, ensuring all equipment and materials are in good condition. - Document resident participation and progress, providing feedback to the healthcare team to inform care decisions. - Foster positive relationships with residents, families, and staff to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. - Participate in staff meetings and training sessions to continuously improve activity programming and delivery. Qualifications Required Education: - High school diploma or equivalent. A degree or coursework in recreational therapy, gerontology, or a related field is preferred. Required Experience: - Experience working in a healthcare or elder care setting is preferred. - Previous experience in planning and facilitating activities for groups or individuals. - Familiarity with the needs and interests of elderly or disabled individuals. Required Skills and Abilities: - Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff. - Ability to plan, organize, and implement engaging activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities. - Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to adapt activities to meet the needs of participants. - Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in improving the quality of life for residents. - Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently when necessary. - Basic computer skills for scheduling and documentation purposes. - Physical ability to assist residents with activities and mobility as needed.

This is a preview of the job listing. The full posting includes complete compensation details, benefits package, qualification requirements, and application instructions.

View Full Job Details & Apply →

What Most Job Listings Don’t Tell You

General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.

Support roles in senior living — housekeeping, maintenance, activities, and social work — are far more resident-facing than similar positions in other industries. Housekeepers and maintenance staff interact with residents in their personal living spaces daily, which requires discretion, patience, and genuine respect for the people who live there. In Texas, even non-clinical staff must complete facility-specific training on topics like abuse prevention, infection control, and emergency procedures.

Activities coordinators and social workers play a direct role in resident well-being — isolation and depression are significant concerns in senior living, and programming that keeps residents socially engaged has measurable health outcomes. Maintenance staff in senior care need to understand life-safety systems (fire alarms, emergency generators, call systems) and are often the first responders for building emergencies. Background checks are required for all positions, and many facilities prefer candidates who have previous experience working with older adults.

What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day

Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.

For housekeeping roles, the day follows a room-by-room schedule — cleaning resident rooms, sanitizing common areas, managing laundry, and responding to spill or accident cleanups as they happen. Infection control protocols are more rigorous than in hotels or commercial cleaning, especially during flu season or respiratory illness outbreaks.

Maintenance staff handle a daily work order queue — everything from changing light bulbs and fixing call buttons to HVAC maintenance and plumbing repairs. Life-safety equipment checks (fire extinguishers, exit lighting, generator testing) happen on set schedules. Activities professionals plan and lead group programming — exercise classes, crafts, music sessions, outings — and also provide one-on-one engagement for residents who cannot participate in group settings. Social workers manage care conferences, discharge planning, family mediation, and community resource referrals. Across all these roles, the common thread is that you become a familiar, trusted presence in residents' daily lives.

Houston Area Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Home Health and Personal Care Aide positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of $10.97/hr ($22,818/yr). The typical range is $10.60 – $13.28/hr (25th–75th percentile).

Entry Level (10th) $20,613/yr

Houston Median $22,818/yr

Experienced (90th) $30,597/yr

vs. National Median -34.6%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area). Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.