Capstone Internship
Activities Intern
Hoosier Village is a large nonprofit retirement community in Zionsville that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing for older adults. As an intern in the Activities Department, I help plan and run daily programs that encourage social connection, wellness, and meaningful involvement for residents.
Entrance to Hoosier Village.
Primary Responsibilities and Projects
During my internship, I focused on a project to increase attendance at activities in the Skilled Nursing Facility. I analyzed participation patterns, identified barriers to engagement, and helped redesign programs to better align with residents' interests and functional abilities. My responsibilities included promoting activities through one‑on‑one invitations, assisting with program setup and facilitation, tracking attendance data, and collaborating with the Activities Director to adjust the schedule based on resident feedback. Through these efforts, I worked to create more meaningful, accessible, and well‑attended programs for SNF residents.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
During my internship at Hoosier Village, I saw how important meaningful engagement is for the well-being of residents in the Skilled Nursing Facility. My role was to take initiative, communicate clearly with both residents and staff, and help create a welcoming activity environment. I did this by helping plan programs, inviting residents to join activities, adjusting to their needs, and keeping track of participation to make things better. This experience made me more confident, taught me how to solve problems in a real healthcare setting, and showed me how thoughtful activities can really improve life for older adults.
Activities Participation
During my internship in the Activities Department at Hoosier Village, I focused on increasing resident engagement within the Skilled Nursing Facility by improving participation in daily programs, especially bingo. I reviewed attendance trends, identified barriers to involvement, and used strategies like personalized invitations, better timing, and more supportive staff coordination to make activities easier and more appealing for residents. Through this project, I strengthened my skills in resident interaction, program planning, and data-informed decision-making while helping create a more engaging daily experience for the community.
