armywife8488

I am supposed to post a program that I offer at my facility for my MEPAP2 final practicum on this forum. So here it is: If you have a small child who loves to read and talk you might want to try out Park Ridge Nursing Centers Reading Buddies Program. This program was put in place to intertwine generations and allow the tiny humans and the older adults to learn from each other. Think about it for a minute. Older adults have been through life and have so much advice and stories to share; tiny humans are just beginning and have a lot of energy. They have imaginations that seem to help the older generation come alive and seem little again. It’s pretty simple to start a program like this one. You will need a youth group of some sort whether it be a school group, daycare group, or Sunday School. You will need some children’s books appropriate for the ages of the kids you have coming over. You might also want to offer to have a snack provided. You will need dietary information from the teachers. Another idea to incorporate into this program is an arts and crafts session based off of what was just read. This program should be approximately 2 hours long. The way we do this program is I am given a list of students and I pair the kids up with a resident at my facility. Each resident that is participating wears a name tag as do the children. Depending on how many residents participate some may have more than one child. We do ours in the main dining room and we have all the supplies ready to go by the time the kids arrive. Once everyone has been paired up the kids read to the residents. After that the kids and residents are encouraged to do some type of arts project depicting a scene from the book. Snacks are handed out during the arts and crafts activity. At the end of the program the kids are allowed to take their projects home or they may keep them at the facility. This program as stated above meets the need to have intergenerational activities at your facility. Older adults love kids and it allows them to act like kids even if for one day. This is a program that is a big hit for both generations.

My average census is 118-120. We basically stay a full house (120) all the time. I have three aides helping me and we have that same issue with the CNAs and the nurses not helping. I had that issue at my last place too. I believe that is an ongoing issue and will be forever. I cant imagine not having aides to help you though. Especially with a census of 95. How do you get everything done? I would talk to the unit managers and the DON about getting help from CNAs and nurses. We page overheard where I work and say staff please bring residents (wherever the activity is being held). Not that it works all the time, but most of the time it does.

Hello everyone! My name is Amber and I am an activity director in Jacksonville, FL. I am currently in MEPAP1 with Kathy Hughes, but am finishing up Week 15 today. Week 16 starts tomorrow and that is the last week for me! I am excited to begin MEPAP2 as learning how to be a manager is what I am interested in right now. I have been working in the health care field for five years working as a CNA. I transferred into the activity department two years ago and have loved it every since. Four weeks ago I started working as activity director in a new facility and I am enjoying it! Its different being in charge of everything now, but I am managing. I hope everyone has a blessed night. Amber

Hello Sasha, Welcome! I am new to activity director too! I am in my fourth week as activity director and I have to say its going well. I was nervous at first, but Im getting the hang of it. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am the manager now, not just an aide. Its difficult but I am sure I will be fine. How is it treating you? Amber