Activity Director Keeps North Dakota Seniors Connected

For residents at Good Samaritan Society Sunset Drive in Mandan, North Dakota, the smiling face serving food and drinks at sing-alongs isn't just entertainment. It's a lifeline.

Taylor Garcia works as an activity director at the long-term care facility, planning around 15 activities each week. From chair yoga to trivia nights to spiritual gatherings, he creates moments of joy for people who can no longer live independently.

"What got me into this was providing different types of connection and being with the residents," Garcia said. "I like listening to their stories."

This week marks National Activity Professionals Week, celebrating people in Garcia's role across the country. While their work often goes unnoticed, it plays a crucial role in keeping residents physically, mentally, and cognitively healthy.

Joyce Rice, a resident at the facility, sees Garcia's impact firsthand. "He's always happy. He always has a smile on his face," she said. "He is always willing to stop whatever he's doing to visit with you if you come by his office."

The variety Garcia brings matters deeply. One day residents might gather for a sing-along, the next for chair exercises or spiritual reflection. Each activity offers a different way to connect, move, or engage minds that might otherwise drift into isolation.

Sunny's Take

Working in long-term care demands patience, creativity, and emotional resilience. Garcia faces those demands with genuine enthusiasm, finding reward in the small moments that brighten residents' days. He plans to stay in this role as long as he can, saying it's the line of work he's most interested in pursuing.

For many residents spending extended time in care facilities, activities aren't just pastimes. They're essential connections to joy, community, and purpose that keep spirits alive even when bodies need extra support.

Garcia makes sure residents don't spend their golden years alone, turning what could be isolating days into opportunities for laughter, movement, and human connection. That commitment transforms not just individual moments, but entire lives.