One Activity Director’s Path Was Built with Creative Thinking

“I believe that there are no accidents in life and that all of my previous experiences have brought me to where I find myself today.” 

Robert Harrington is a dedicated and passionate Activity Director at Oakwood Health Services. His educational background was first in theater, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting from Indiana University in South Bend, IN. He went back to school later in life and earned his Associates Degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), specializing in pediatrics. He worked with special needs children for a number of years before having his own kids. Robert says he was lucky enough to leave his job and stay home with his kids for 5 years as a stay-at-home dad. 

He says, “It was by far the toughest job I ever had, and the most gratifying. I decided to use my COTA license to do something different than pediatrics when my kids were of school age. Quite frankly, I had my fill of being around kids for a while, so I thought the Activities Director position at Oakwood might be a nice change. I was absolutely right!” 

Robert truly enjoys being around the residents at Oakwood Health Services, and hopes that enjoyment shows in his work with them. Every activity on their calendar is something Robert personally enjoys doing. Robert says, “I always like to remind my staff that if you truly enjoy the activity you are leading, chances are the residents will be engaged as well regardless of what it is.”

Robert explores all of his interests and hobbies with the residents. Some of their favorites are guitar sing-a-longs, karaoke, and a genealogy workshop that they did last year. Robert offers creative and unique activities that might be considered out of the box, but he has found that sometimes they turn out to be some of the most fun and engaging, like target practice with Nerf Guns! 

“The residents at Oakwood hold a special place in my heart, and they truly do more for me than I could do for them.”