tholt

In the patient rooms, I like to custom make a daily or weekly activities calendar. I use white boards and dry erase markers and make a unique calendar based on the needs of the patient. Of course, these calendars are for 1on1 activities and not for group events. I often take blue masking tape in making a grid on the white board. Patients love to have a individualized calendar. I use the 1on1 calendars because we have swing bed patients that only stay for a few days, while other stay for a few months. The majority of swing bed patients only stay in that status for 4-5 days.

Hello everyone, My name is Tom Holt and I am the Population Health Director and I also fill the role as Activities Director at our rural critical access hospital. I was a school teacher for 15 years and a principal for 5 years before entering the healthcare field. I did miss the rewarding feeling in working with children in the school setting. Surprisingly enough, I have found that working with swing bed patients is equally as rewarding. I very much value the time that I spend with them. I love to truly get to know them. I like using those therapeutic rapport techniques in building trust with each patient. It's comforting to know that my time spent with the patients is worthwhile and lasting. That patient-centered care in respecting his or her dignity and promoting their abilities gives them hope. What do you find as the largest challenge in working with residents? What do you find as the biggest reward in working with residents? Thanks, Tom

Hello Everyone, I am working with a patient that is struggling with ALS. His movement is limited and the disease is progressive. I have provided many 1on1 activities and also some family movie nights. Does anyone out there have suggestions on more activity ideas for an ALS patient? Thanks! Tom

How about Quesadillas (easy to chew with melted cheese on a tortilla). Then add a sour cream peace sign on the top and cut. From a musical theme stand point, you could use Pandora and find a Hit from the 1960's station. I suggest you all go to Musicians on Call - and apply for the MusicPharmacy program using Kindle Fires, Pandora and Bose headphones.