Carol Ricklin
Newbury Park,CA
Summary
Friendly Life Enrichment Director knowledgeable in finding great activities to expand interests of senior citizens. Bright and energetic professional with more than 14 years of expertise providing engaging, inspiring, fun, and educational events and activities.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Life Inspired Director
Meridian Senior Living
06.2025 - Current
- Designed and implemented engaging activity programs tailored to resident interests and abilities.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through resident feedback, making continuous improvements to offerings.
- Coordinated special events and outings, enhancing social interaction among residents and families.
- Managed budgets for activity programs, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact.
- Developed safety protocols for activity participation, prioritizing resident well-being at all times.
- Planned resident outings and special events to mark holidays and celebrate special occasions.
- Developed monthly life enrichment calendar and published electronically and in print.
- Designed wide variety of activities to stimulate interest, involvement, and engagement of patients.
- Boosted social interaction among residents through organizing regular events, outings, and group activities.
- Developed and lead intergenerational activities.
- Arranged outings as part of recreational program.
- Maintained running inventory of supplies and purchases to monitor budget expenditures.
- Coordinated special events such as holiday celebrations or themed parties to enhance overall quality of life within the community setting.
- Networked with community organizations and leaders for volunteer opportunities and cooperative engagements.
- Provided safe transportation to facilitate residents attending activities and events outside of facility.
- Increased physical fitness levels among residents by designing exercise programs tailored to individual abilities and preferences.
- Created and delivered recreational programs for small and large groups of residents.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy residents.
- Monitored budget and expenditures, keeping facility within budget.
- Partnered across departments to run smooth, professional events and activities.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
Life Enrichment Director
Eldercare Alliance
03.2019 - 01.2025
- Created and delivered recreational programs for small and large groups of residents.
- Supervised Activities Assistant and conducted performance evaluations.
- Designed wide variety of activities to stimulate interest, involvement, and engagement of patients.
- Arranged outings as part of recreational program.
- Provided safe transportation to facilitate residents attending activities and events outside of facility.
- Developed and lead intergenerational activities to encourage mental agility of residents.
- Developed monthly life enrichment calendar and published electronically and in print.
- Stretched minimum annual budget $27,600 to cover planned activities through creative use of resources.
- Maintained running inventory of supplies and purchases to monitor budget expenditures.
- Assisted with safety and emergency planning to secure patient safety while at facility and prevent injury.
- Performed assessments on activity programs to determine what specific activities were suitable.
- Maintained activity records and reports to evaluate program success and identify areas for improvement.
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
- Created and maintained detailed reports of daily, weekly and monthly operations.
- Developed partnerships with external vendors and suppliers to obtain quality products and services.
- Partnered across departments to run smooth, professional events and activities.
Activity Director
Belmont Senior Living
09.2018 - 03.2019
- Coordinated, planned, developed and implemented activities designed to enrich lives of assisted living residents.
- Sought and obtained community opportunities for cultural and recreational participation and safely transported residents to and from locations.
- Developed and implemented themes and activities for residents between ages of 74 and 101.
- Maintained and ordered supplies for activities.
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
- Coordinated with entertainer to provide engagement live music for residents.
- Cultivated strong relationships with residents and families to build loyalty and trust.
- Created and maintained detailed reports of daily, weekly and monthly operations.
- Organized and oversaw special events such as birthday parties, tournaments and team-building activities.
- Trained and supervised staff to consistently meet performance goals and customer service standards.
- Partnered across departments to run smooth, professional events and activities.
- Monitored budget and expenditures, keeping facility within budget.
- Resolved complaints with workers, activities or services rendered.
Engagement Life Director
Atria Senior Living
01.2013 - 08.2018
- Interacted well with staff, residents and families to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Increased resident socialization through implementation of wide range of fun, educational and family-oriented activities.
- Collaborated closely with residents, using effective communication to better understand favorite activities.
- Provided one-on-one programs and activities for residents unable to participate in group settings.
- Planned zoo trips, shopping excursions and religious worship opportunities for residents.
- Coordinated holiday decorating of facility, garnering help of residents and volunteer staff.
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
- Created and maintained detailed reports of daily, weekly and monthly operations.
- Monitored budget and expenditures, keeping facility within budget.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers to build loyalty.
- Solved complaints with workers, activities or services. rendered.
- Trained and supervised staff to consistently meet performance goals and customer service standards.
- Partnered across departments to run smooth, professional events and activities.
- Developed partnerships with external vendors and suppliers to obtain quality products and services.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
California State University, Northridge, CA
Northridge, CAAssociate of Arts - Travel And Tourism
International Travel Academy
North Hollywood, CASkills
- Excellent Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time Management
- Organization
- Dependability
- Adaptability
- Attention to Detail
- Positive Attitude
- Strong Work Ethic
Certification
- Certified CPR and AED
Timeline
Life Inspired Director
Meridian Senior Living
06.2025 - Current
Life Enrichment Director
Eldercare Alliance
03.2019 - 01.2025
Activity Director
Belmont Senior Living
09.2018 - 03.2019
Engagement Life Director
Atria Senior Living
01.2013 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
California State University, Northridge, CA
Associate of Arts - Travel And Tourism
International Travel Academy