Activity Directors Network

Resident Council President

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:29:55 +0000

Hi Everyone,
Our resident coucil just elected one of their members as president of the council. I'm wondering what does the president usually do besides run the meeting?

The History of Assisted Living

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:22:43 +0000

The Who, What, Where, When & Why Pretty good reading Check it out:
http://www.assistedlivinghistory.com/

Fostering small group activities...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:09:24 +0000

I'm having an issue in creating small focused groups around a certain activity that a few people may like, but may not have wide appeal.

Due to staffing issues that I am trying to work on (namely my assistant thinks she works in the kitchen and its her responsibility to help there...every day), I am the only staff able to lead activities, so in addition to being the director and a manager of the facility, I am also the assistant in a facility with 112 beds. So I really need the activities I can actually lead to have an impact.

However, in trying non-Bingo ideas, with things that are aimed more towards a smaller group that would enjoy that particular activity, I am running into big issues with my Bingo and social regulars. Some of them have Alzheimer's, so I can understand their issues, but some are of perfectly sound mind. They complain when there's any activity that isn't about them or doesn't give them food, it seems.

I share my activities room with the dining room, and in addition to fighting the televisions, rush of the dietary aides, set up for meals, meals, clanging of dishes, constant mopping and sweeping, now I have to fight residents who are dead set to disrupt something they don't even want to do.

I've tried sticking to my guns, but it gets to the point where they will completely disrupt the activity for any other residents who want to actually do that activity. I've tried doing it on our 3rd and 4th floors, but it disrupts people who just want to sit and drink coffee and watch TV and they act the same way.

Any ideas on working through this group behavior? I'm at my wit's end, but I don't want to give up trying and just go back to Bingo Bingo Bingo for the 12 who like to play and forget the other 100 who might like something else.

Contest for National Activity Professionals Week

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:02:51 +0000

Display Competition!
National Activity Professionals Week is Jan.22-28,2012.

Winner receives a free online CE Workshop from http://www.activitydirector.org - value upto 10 CE clock hours

This Years Theme: : “Staying in Tune with Activities”

Contest: Pupose: To share your display of your activities programs with others.

Create a display of your activities program that you can use for National Activity Professionals Week. Perhaps in the lobby of your facility, families and friends entering your facility can visualize the Activities Progam during the NAPW celebration. a bulletinboard display, a window /glass case display, front door collage, an Open House with demonstrations and tables showing off the how your faciltiy is staying in tune with the latest activity trends Wii, Video Conferencing, Hobby Clubs etc .. Send pictures to the Local Newspaper and share your photos with your Newsletter readers. There are many different ways to display and to promote your activity progam,

Try a visual display.. use your imagination and send me your photos

Use the theme for this year to guide you.

Remember that you are telling a story of how activities affect the Quality of Life of your residents and the benefits of all of your programs.

Criteria:

Display should reflect the Quality of Life of your residents and activities
Submit no more than 3 pictures
Remember to have residents sign releases for their pictures for your display
Include on your submission:

Your Name and Title
Your Facilities Name and State where it is
The number of residents in your Facility
Type of Facility

Deadline: February 28, 2012

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES : Sign up for a free account by registering on the top right
..next " login "
..click on " Gallery " on the top menu bar
..then choose National Activity Professionals Week Album and upload your pictures.

... have fun! Kathy Hughes, ADC

Visit http://www.activitydirector.org
"The Leader in Activity Staff Training Online."

Communicating with Alzheimers

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:22:37 +0000

http://www.shadowboxpress.com

Shadowbox Press publishes a collection of eight books created to provide an easy and effective way to improve the quality of communication with memory-impaired adults.

The books offer an innovative format and a variety of subject matter.
They are designed to encourage socialization, evoke memories, and prompt conversation with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, brain injury, or other memory-impairment

Contact Name - Matthew Schneider

How about a Comedy show for the Holidays

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:06:21 +0000

http://www.darlynefr...lic/default.asp

Activity Directors!

We have been entertaining groups for over 20 years!
We can bring our show to you.
Comedy Shows like Joey and Maria's Crazy Italian Wedding .. Your residents are the wedding guests.. very interactive..
Visit our website for more great entertainment ideas...

IN A DINING HALL, FUNCTION ROOM, BALLROOM, INDOORS, OUTDOORS, BACKYARD, ANY WHERE ...... as long as there's a backhoussa!
Have our shows at your place and attract 100s of people
We work with you to make sure it works for all of us
Call 239-431-6262 for details

We offer our Activity Directors and Group Leaders outstanding customer service with fulltime help organizing the event.
We can provide artwork for your flyers.

We accept check, master card or visa
Deposits are required by groups of 20 or more.
Customer Satisfaction and Service are as important to us as the quality of our productions.
Proud members of GLAMER
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR FUNDRAISERS

We can perform all of our shows at the location of your choice.
Please call us at 239-431-6262 to book your event!
Darlyne Franklin or Lucy Harris
Interactiveshows@gmail.com
239-431-6262
Naples Florida. Will Travel.

Financial Issues

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:09:23 +0000

Does anyone have these problems?

I am required to buy all supplies out of my own pocket to get reimbursed for later. The reimbursement process usually takes about 2 weeks. I don't make that much. The amount of money I'm putting up is putting a dent in my personal finances as I am paying off student loans (like everyone else), and it usually happens that come the week before payday, I am struggling and eating ramen.

I have such limited supplies on hand to begin with, so getting supplies is a necessity. We have things donated, and I do my best to work with what I have...but my creativity is running out. My arts & crafts supplies right now are down to some markers, a pack of construction paper, and 3 bottles of glue! With the holidays coming, I can't do much with that.

Simply put, I can't afford to be an activity director anymore, and give the residents what they deserve. I'm at my wits end. I don't get much support from administration on this - they apparently seem to believe that this comes with the job. I didn't sign on for this.

Advice needed! I'm beyond frustrated.

Start a Bell Choir in your facility

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:59:32 +0000

Bring joy to the lives of senior adults.
Become an 8-note Hand Bell Director.
Let the Bell Educator's League show you how!
B.E.L. provides tools to assist with training, promoting and supporting the 8-note Hand Bell Director.

http://www.belleducatorsleague.com/