Sensory Engagement Strategist
Nancy Richards, ADC,EDU Author, Founder, and Possibility Leader
Activity Pathways, a healthcare, recreation focused education company on a quest to push back stigma around mental illness and aging. As a healthcare catalyst, I promote the benefits of purpose, exploration and play, elements of human wellness. A devoted Activity Practitioner for over 30 years, I design, and deliver products and speak nationally.
My motivation for launching Activity Pathways:
“In 2009, I decided to take the post-it note off my computer about the 3 Cs of life and put them into action. What are the three Cs? Choices, Chances, and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. Having been in the field of Long Term Living Activity Services for over 20 years working for other people, I found my values were not in harmony within the corporate setting. I made the choice to take the chance to fulfill a lifelong goal to open my own business, Activity Pathways knowing, engagement empowers people and cultivates well being.”
Having lived a dual life, working as an Activity Professional by day and by night providing care for family members, I have learned how to navigate the complex landscape of health care and strives to inform others how to make sense of it all. Each situation demands and receives individual honor and support. Embracing, the WHOLE person model of care I have have privileged to share health care journeys with so many wonderful people who have taught me so much about life:
- Enjoyed working all levels of senior living including physical rehabilitation, ALF, Memory Care and acute, inpatient mental health services—her subspecialty since 2001
- Designs and delivers live and virtual workshops nationally, keynote presentations and published two activity engagement workbooks.
- Graduated Wesley College & Gwynedd Mercy University, emphasis in Gerontology
- Recipient of the 2024 NAAP Award of Excellence
- Certified through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
- Activity Director Certified(ADC) with Education specialization (EDU)
- Retired, Instructor for the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP)
- NAAP Education Council volunteer
Additional Training
- Certified Chair Chi Instructor
Find more information about Nancy on LinkedIn.
Based in beautiful Montgomery County, Activity Pathways is a health care, recreation based education service inspired by former Xerox CEO Ursula M. Burns who said “Fearlessness is seeing an opportunity even though things are not broken.” My leisure pursuits involve lots of reading, anywhere yet specifically at home in my Grandmother’s white wicker chair; I also enjoy gardening, am a lover of farmer markets, pairing dark chocolate with a good Merlot, collecting seashells, cooking, exploring local parks, power walking and monthly Teardrop Camping adventures.
Professional Activities & Memberships
- NAAP Education Council projects
- PA Activity Professional Association
