Care Farm Dementia Day Program Coordinator

Care Farm Dementia Day Program Coordinator

(Hands-On Program Lead)

Location: 4 Campbell Drive, Mount Pleasant, ON à Supporting – Brant County & Surrounding Area

Schedule: Part-time to Full-time (2–3 program days/week + outreach/administrative days) Reports To: Executive Director / Founder

Compensation: $27.00 – $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and scope of responsibilities

(Equivalent to approx. $52,000 – $68,000 annually at full-time hours)

Competitive, based on experience

About the Program

Our care farm offers a warm, nature-based day program for seniors living with dementia. Through meaningful activities, connection to animals and land, and small group design, we provide participants with engagement, dignity, and joy—while offering much-needed respite and reassurance for caregivers.

As demand grows across Brant County and surrounding communities, we are expanding our model and seeking a Care Farm Dementia Day Program Coordinator to lead day-today program planning and future delivery and help grow community partnerships, referrals, and sustainable funding.

Role Overview

The Care Farm Dementia Day Program Coordinator is a hands-on lead role responsible for running the dementia day program on-site and overseeing a small team of PSWs supporting clients at a 3:1 client-to-staff ratio. This role also coordinates transportation logistics, builds referral partnerships, and leads community outreach, sponsorship, and funding efforts during non-program days.

This position is ideal for a compassionate, organized professional who enjoys working directly with seniors and shaping community-based programs from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Leadership & Daily Operations

• Start the planning and community relationship building and socialization of the benefits of care farm programs
• Planning for future leading day program delivery for seniors living with dementia in a care farm environment.
• Plan and oversee daily schedules and events of Community Days, Farm Crawls, Open Houses to advertise future day program (e.g., gentle movement, gardening, animal-assisted engagement, music, crafts, sensory and reminiscence activities).
• Support participants in a dementia-informed, person-centred manner that preserves dignity and emotional safety during open house and tours of our farm program for potential care givers and clients.
• Adjust activities based on weather, individual abilities, cognitive changes, and group dynamics.
• Maintain consistent routines that promote comfort, engagement, and reduced anxiety.

2. Future Program Oversight of PSWs & On-Site Support Team

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight to PSWs supporting participants at a 3:1 client-to-staff ratio.
• Support PSWs in applying best practices in dementia care, redirection, and deescalation.
• Coordinate schedules, breaks, and task assignments during program days.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and safety-focused team culture.

3. Safety, Risk Management & Client Well-Being

• Ensure participant safety across indoor and outdoor farm environments.
• Maintain and follow protocols related to dementia care, infection prevention, food safety (if applicable), and emergency response.
• Keep accurate participant information including care needs, mobility considerations, allergies, and emergency contacts.
• Respond calmly and effectively to incidents or behavioural expressions, keeping families informed as appropriate.

4. Transportation Coordination

• Coordinate free or community-based transportation services for participant pickup and drop-off across Brant County and surrounding areas.
• Schedule ride times, routes, and backup plans in collaboration with families and transportation providers.
• Communicate transportation details clearly to caregivers and program staff.
• Track attendance and transportation usage to support planning and reporting.

(Note: this role does not involve personally driving participants.)

5. Family & Caregiver Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for families and caregivers.
• Support intake, onboarding, and ongoing relationship-building with caregivers.
• Provide updates, reassurance, and insight that support caregiver confidence and respite goals.
• Create a welcoming, trauma-informed environment for families navigating dementia care.

6. Community Outreach, Partnerships & Growth (Non-Program Days)

When the program is not running on-site, this role focuses on growth and sustainability through:

• Building referral pathways with:
  • Long-term care homes o Retirement and seniors’ residences o Home care providers (including private-pay clients)
  • Community agencies, Ontario Health Teams, Alzheimer Society chapters, and primary care partners
• Conducting outreach, presentations, and relationship-building to increase awareness and enrollment.
• Supporting funding applications, sponsorship relationships, and vendor partnerships.
• Helping grow waitlists and scale the program based on community demand.

7. Administration & Program Support

• Maintain attendance records, participant documentation, consent forms, and privacy standards.
• Support reporting requirements related to funders, partners, or sponsors.
• Assist with basic program planning, supplies tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in gerontology, social services, recreation therapy, nursing, PSW, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience supporting seniors living with dementia.
• Proven ability to lead small teams in a compassionate, organized, and practical way.
• Strong organizational skills, including scheduling, logistics, and coordination.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with seniors, families, staff, and community partners.
• Comfort working in an outdoor/farm setting across seasons.

Assets

• Dementia-specific training (e.g., GPA, PIECES, Montessori for Dementia).
• Experience in community outreach, partnership development, or program growth.
• Knowledge of local senior services across Brant County.
• First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Food handling certification (if applicable).

Why Join Us

• Be part of an innovative, community-rooted dementia care model.
• Help seniors thrive in a meaningful, non-institutional environment.
• Shape partnerships, funding, and the future growth of a unique care farm program.
• Balance hands-on care with leadership, creativity, and community impact.

Benefits & Additional Supports

• Flexible work schedule aligned to program delivery (2–3 on-site program days per week, with off-site outreach and administrative days)
• Meaningful, purpose-driven work in an innovative, non-institutional dementia care setting
• Opportunity to shape and grow a new program based on community demand
• Mileage reimbursement for approved local travel related to outreach and partnership development
• Professional development opportunities, including dementia-care training and community education
• Supportive, mission-driven leadership with room for role growth as the program expands
• Potential for role expansion and increased hours as enrollment, funding, and demand grow

To Apply

Please submit your resume to thistlehousecarefarm@gmail.com and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in dementia care, community-based programming, and this role.