Bridger Program Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Bridge Program provides residents with increased structure, meaningful engagement, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and individualized support while allowing them to remain active members of the Youville community. The program is intended for residents who may benefit from additional daytime support, but who are not necessarily ready to transition to a memory care neighborhood.

The Bridge Program Coordinator will be responsible for creating and facilitating a welcoming, purposeful, and supportive daily environment in which residents can maintain independence, build confidence, participate in meaningful activities, and experience successful and fulfilling days.

Typical Program Hours

The Bridge Program operates Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Coordinator is expected to be present and actively engaged throughout program hours.

CORE DUTIES AND DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to policies and procedures of Youville, as well as policies specific to the department

• Adhere to safety and health regulations and policies
• Assist in emergencies that occur in the residence
• Meet and exceed Youville’s standards for hospitality and services
• Incorporate the mission and philosophy of Youville into daily tasks
• Demonstrate sensitive communication skills
• Maintain confidentiality
• Organize and complete tasks effectively

• Report changes in resident behavior or unusual circumstances to Director

• Perform all duties in a manner consistent with regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence
• Participate in continuing education as required by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence

· Youville, in accordance with its mission, is committed to environmental sustainability and the promotion of a healthier environment. All staff are required to be good stewards of the environment by conserving energy and water resources, appropriately segregating solid, recycling, and bio-hazardous waste streams, and following all procedures for safe use of chemicals in the workplace

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership

· Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bridge Program for up to 12 residents.

· Create a consistent, structured, and welcoming daily routine that promotes comfort, familiarity, and participation.

· Develop and implement engaging daily and weekly programming tailored to participants’ abilities, interests, preferences, and needs.

· Balance structure and routine with flexibility based on residents’ changing needs and responses.

· Establish an environment that promotes dignity, choice, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.

Cognitive & Social Engagement

· Plan and facilitate activities that encourage cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, conversation, creativity, movement, and social interaction.

· Provide opportunities for purposeful engagement that reflect residents’ interests, life experiences, and strengths.

· Adapt activities and communication approaches to accommodate varying cognitive abilities and levels of participation.

· Encourage residents to remain connected to the broader Youville community and participate in appropriate community activities and events.

· Promote positive peer relationships and meaningful social connections among program participants.

Individualized Resident Support

· Develop an understanding of each participant’s personality, interests, routines, abilities, and support needs.

· Provide individualized encouragement, cueing, redirection, and assistance as appropriate.

· Recognize changes in residents’ mood, behavior, engagement, cognition, or functioning and communicate concerns to appropriate members of the care team.

· Help residents transition into and become comfortable with the structure and routines of the Bridge Program.

· Support residents in maintaining as much independence and choice as possible.

Family & Team Communication

· Develop positive, trusting relationships with residents and their families.

· Communicate regularly with families regarding participation, engagement, successes, concerns, and emerging needs, within the scope of the role.

· Collaborate closely with nursing, resident care, life enrichment, dining, wellness, and other Youville team members.

· Participate in care planning and interdisciplinary discussions as appropriate.

· Help identify when a resident may require additional support or a different level of care and communicate observations to appropriate leadership.

Program Development & Documentation

· Maintain accurate and timely documentation related to resident participation, observations, activities, and program needs.

· Track participation and engagement to help evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

· Contribute to ongoing development and refinement of the Bridge Program.

· Assist leadership in evaluating program outcomes, resident satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement.

· Maintain a safe, organized, and inviting program environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

· Experience working with older adults, preferably in assisted living, memory care, senior services, adult day programs, or a related setting.

· Experience supporting individuals experiencing cognitive impairment or dementia.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

· Ability to build trusting relationships with residents and families.

· Creativity and enthusiasm for developing meaningful activities and programming.

· Patience, flexibility, empathy, and a person-centered approach.

· Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to changes in residents’ needs and behavior.

· Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a structured program environment.

• Lift 50 lbs, sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, push and pull as required

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:

· Degree or certification in therapeutic recreation, activities, gerontology, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, education, or a related field.

· Dementia care training or certification.

· Experience developing or leading small-group programming for older adults.

· Experience working in a person-centered senior living environment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Possess good communication skills in English:

· Able to interact well with coworkers and residents

· Sensitive listening skills, good comprehension, effective speaking ability

· Reading and writing at level needed to fulfill job

REASONING/JUDGMENT ABILITY:

Ability to think clearly, assess and follow up in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

Must be patient and understanding of individual needs of residents and staff. These include physical, emotional and spiritual needs as related to the process of aging and adjustment to an assisted living setting.

The Bridge Program provides residents with increased structure, meaningful engagement, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and individualized support while allowing them to remain active members of the Youville community. The program is intended for residents who may benefit from additional daytime support, but who are not necessarily ready to transition to a memory care neighborhood.

The Bridge Program Coordinator will be responsible for creating and facilitating a welcoming, purposeful, and supportive daily environment in which residents can maintain independence, build confidence, participate in meaningful activities, and experience successful and fulfilling days.

Typical Program Hours

The Bridge Program operates Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Coordinator is expected to be present and actively engaged throughout program hours.

CORE DUTIES AND DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to policies and procedures of Youville, as well as policies specific to the department

• Adhere to safety and health regulations and policies
• Assist in emergencies that occur in the residence
• Meet and exceed Youville’s standards for hospitality and services
• Incorporate the mission and philosophy of Youville into daily tasks
• Demonstrate sensitive communication skills
• Maintain confidentiality
• Organize and complete tasks effectively

• Report changes in resident behavior or unusual circumstances to Director

• Perform all duties in a manner consistent with regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence
• Participate in continuing education as required by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence

· Youville, in accordance with its mission, is committed to environmental sustainability and the promotion of a healthier environment. All staff are required to be good stewards of the environment by conserving energy and water resources, appropriately segregating solid, recycling, and bio-hazardous waste streams, and following all procedures for safe use of chemicals in the workplace

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership

· Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bridge Program for up to 12 residents.

· Create a consistent, structured, and welcoming daily routine that promotes comfort, familiarity, and participation.

· Develop and implement engaging daily and weekly programming tailored to participants’ abilities, interests, preferences, and needs.

· Balance structure and routine with flexibility based on residents’ changing needs and responses.

· Establish an environment that promotes dignity, choice, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.

Cognitive & Social Engagement

· Plan and facilitate activities that encourage cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, conversation, creativity, movement, and social interaction.

· Provide opportunities for purposeful engagement that reflect residents’ interests, life experiences, and strengths.

· Adapt activities and communication approaches to accommodate varying cognitive abilities and levels of participation.

· Encourage residents to remain connected to the broader Youville community and participate in appropriate community activities and events.

· Promote positive peer relationships and meaningful social connections among program participants.

Individualized Resident Support

· Develop an understanding of each participant’s personality, interests, routines, abilities, and support needs.

· Provide individualized encouragement, cueing, redirection, and assistance as appropriate.

· Recognize changes in residents’ mood, behavior, engagement, cognition, or functioning and communicate concerns to appropriate members of the care team.

· Help residents transition into and become comfortable with the structure and routines of the Bridge Program.

· Support residents in maintaining as much independence and choice as possible.

Family & Team Communication

· Develop positive, trusting relationships with residents and their families.

· Communicate regularly with families regarding participation, engagement, successes, concerns, and emerging needs, within the scope of the role.

· Collaborate closely with nursing, resident care, life enrichment, dining, wellness, and other Youville team members.

· Participate in care planning and interdisciplinary discussions as appropriate.

· Help identify when a resident may require additional support or a different level of care and communicate observations to appropriate leadership.

Program Development & Documentation

· Maintain accurate and timely documentation related to resident participation, observations, activities, and program needs.

· Track participation and engagement to help evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

· Contribute to ongoing development and refinement of the Bridge Program.

· Assist leadership in evaluating program outcomes, resident satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement.

· Maintain a safe, organized, and inviting program environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

· Experience working with older adults, preferably in assisted living, memory care, senior services, adult day programs, or a related setting.

· Experience supporting individuals experiencing cognitive impairment or dementia.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

· Ability to build trusting relationships with residents and families.

· Creativity and enthusiasm for developing meaningful activities and programming.

· Patience, flexibility, empathy, and a person-centered approach.

· Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to changes in residents’ needs and behavior.

· Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a structured program environment.

• Lift 50 lbs, sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, push and pull as required

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:

· Degree or certification in therapeutic recreation, activities, gerontology, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, education, or a related field.

· Dementia care training or certification.

· Experience developing or leading small-group programming for older adults.

· Experience working in a person-centered senior living environment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Possess good communication skills in English:

· Able to interact well with coworkers and residents

· Sensitive listening skills, good comprehension, effective speaking ability

· Reading and writing at level needed to fulfill job

REASONING/JUDGMENT ABILITY:

Ability to think clearly, assess and follow up in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

Must be patient and understanding of individual needs of residents and staff. These include physical, emotional and spiritual needs as related to the process of aging and adjustment to an assisted living setting.