Mount Alverno celebrates those ‘who enrich lives'

WARWICK — Stop by any afternoon and visit the activities room at Mount Alverno Center, an adult residence and assisted living program in Warwick. Once there, you’re likely to find most of the residents gathered for a Karaoke session, dance, guest lecture, musical entertainment, bingo, a variety of games, trivia quiz, party, movie, monthly resident meeting, or what have you. Each year, Mount Alverno joins in the celebration of National Activity Professionals Week, held this year during the week of Jan.22 to 27. The week honors the nation’s activities professionals who help to enrich the daily lives of older adults in long term care facilities, retirement homes, day programs, and senior centers. Daily activities play a major role in quality health care, and the center’s activities coordinator Amy Steinberg is largely responsible for scheduling interesting, provocative, and educational events. “We’re primarily concerned with the quality of life of our residents,” she said. “Each activity is designed to provide therapeutic as well as recreational value.” Steinberg, a licensed art teacher who earned her bachelor’s degree in art education, has served as the center’s activities coordinator for the past eight years. She is a member of the National Association of Activities Professionals, an organization that represents activity professionals working in long-term care facilities, retirement living, assisted living, adult day services, and senior citizen centers. As vice president of the Hudson Valley Activities Professionals Association, Steinberg recently joined fellow members to celebrate National Activities Professionals Week at Bodles Restaurant in Chester. Mark La Bruna, president of the association, explained “The activities profession helps us meet the psychosocial and physical needs of the elderly, through activity programs that are not only enjoyable, but are designed to improve the health and quality of life of the residents,” said Leah Cerkvenik, R.N., executive vice president and administrator of St. Anthony Community Hospital, Schervier Pavilion Health Care Facility and Mount Alverno Center.