heavenstar

I have a very nice VHS movie library for our residents, but they are tired of seeing the same ones. In fact, no one comes to check out movies from me anymore. HELP! I am willing to trade any amount between 5-200 movies with someone else. My movies are not new releases, nor do I need new releases... just something different. We can trade for good, or just borrow for a while (a year maybe). I also have audio books, and a couple of DVD's. It would be easier if it were someone in Houston-- postage would be too expensive. I also thought about trading them in in exchange for others, but I wouldn't get a good deal. I can give you a list of my movies if you like. email me at afutch@gbbt.org.

Just wanted to let everyone know of a cool program called "Rasterbation". I know, horrible name, but it is very cool. You take a picture and upload it on the website. It changes the picture and makes it huge-- wall mural huge, and prints it out in dots. You have control over how big to make it. You peice the papers together on the wall and stand back! It is a great idea to have your residents posted poster size in your common rooms! They love seeing themselves larger than life. www.homokaasu.org/rasterbator Pictures from my wall of my residents: www.swhad.com

If there is anyone who is looking to start a library or need books, I have tons-- maybe 700. They are old and not in the best shape but still readable! I need them picked up very soon-- or at least reserve them. auf20@hotmail.com.

What is your name? Angie What is your occupation? Activity Director for a 300 apt Retirement Community What are you listening to right now? Nothing What was the last thing you ate? Homemade flour tortillas from our kitchen staff Do you wish on stars? Everytime I see one-- which is rare in the middle of Houston If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple Mountain Majesty How is the weather right now? Hot, it's Texas. But cooler than usual for Sept Last person you spoke to on the phone? My neighbor How old are you today? 32 Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Dr Pepper although I am trying REALLY hard to like water. Alcoholic: Pina Coladas or Kaluha Favorite sport(s) to watch? Baseball Have you ever dyed your hair? yes Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses most of the time,when I drive, but I usually forget them Pets? 1 choc. lab who is a nightmare--anyone want her? and 2 cats-- one is an outside cat because she won't use a litter box and one is a hymalayan who's owner died (he was a resident). He loved the cat so much he left a trust fund for her-- the cat is stupid tho. Favorite month? January-- when I can finally breathe! Favorite food? Homegrown vegetables! Grilled! What was the last movie you watched? RV Favorite day of the year? Halloween When was the last time you cried? can't remember-- I am not a cryer. What did you do last night? Cleaned house, watched RV, read book What inspires you? everything! What are you afraid of? Driving at night, getting in a car crash, giant spiders that I find in my house-- wolf spiders Favorite car? I love a saturn sky, or a hybrid Favorite dog breed? golden retriever How many years at your current job? 6 How many states have you lived in? – Just Texas! other states are not worthy! lol How many cities/towns have you lived in? Houston-- born and raised, Nacogdoches for college, Hockley first job.

I currently work for a retirement community in Houston. It is such a wonderful job because it is all the fun stuff-- taking trips to wonderful places, having lots of parties, dances, classes, etc. I have over 100 volunteers who are residents-- they do their own programs and classes-- I just schedule them and make sure the rooms are available. I teach computer classes, overlook volunteer duties, help with the Residents' Council and do the newsletter. My budget is with the Residents Council-- they tell me what I can spend on decorations and they have to approve everything before I buy. They decide on the entertainers and how much to pay-- I just call and set up time and be the hostess. Being in Independent Living is such a joy most of the time. The main problem I am having now is participation. Since no one is forced to come to activities, sometimes, we have no one that shows up, and others we have 300 too many! Lots of sign up sheets. Another thing that is great is that I have no documentation-- no one on ones, no nurses, no room visits, no state regs and I am not even certified! No one checks on me, except my administrator-- which is great. Hope your job is just as good and you can email me with any questions you have.

I guess, I feel like I want to get certified because it is the next step. Been in my job for 5 years and I am bored. I feel like if i go back to school-- i will learn new things, give me a different perspective and renew my position whether I use it or not. I don't plan on being an AD anywhere else, but this would definitely open and broaden my options. Boss thinks that it is a great idea, and she will pay for it,,,, so why not? Here is another question-- probably stupid-- if i only need 40 hours from body of knowlege classes-- how many of each topic do i take, does it matter what classes? Why can't I find this information in the booklet? Thanks!

I have never wanted or needed to be certified until now. Problem is, I don't know where to start. I have downloaded the NCCAP cert process and application and understand what I have to do, but my questions are: 1. Where do I take classes at (Body of Knowledge)-- can it be from when I was in College 10 yrs ago? I have a psych/sociology degree and took many of the classes they are asking for. Or from a regular junior college Or Is there a college that offers Activity Director Certification classes? The only thing I can find offered is the MEPAP classes. Please help me get started. Thanks angie

Hi, Where do I start???? My residents (380) speak the following In this order: This is thier First Language! Needless to say, we work mainly through translators here. Russian Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese) Korean Vietnamese Spanish English Fillipino (sp?) Yiddish Hebrew Lebanese German

We did a survivor game and it turned out great! We started at lunch by having everyone fish for their team---- paper fish with paperclips, and the fishing pole had a magnet on the end. They got the team bandana --we had 4 teams of 5 people. They had to eat lunch with their teammates. Afterwards, they moved to the community room and the first game was putting together a puzzle-- 24 pieces-- a lot harder when you have 5 people working on it and getting in the way. Second game was walking a line with a spoon full of water --relay style Another game that was a lot of fun was using rubber bands and shooting them at soda cans--- each different type of can was for a different team. The last can standing was the winner. We did a scavenger hunt-- and the end was a bag of food that they had to eat. They brought the food back to the table. Then they all opened it up. We made cottage cheese that was dyed green. Sardines, pickled pigs feet, and something that was good..... everyone picked what they wanted, but if someone didn't eat, then they lost points for their team. Another idea is for the bertie botts every flavor bean--- from harry potter...... find at speciality candy stores, and when they say every flavor they mean it--- the vomit flavored one tastes like chili vomit..... hate to be the taste tester for that company! It took about an hour for all the games. And the winner kept the immunity doll -( a hawaiian luau doll made out of coconuts from party city)-we put it on display with a sign. Use special or senior olympics stuff as game ideas Do a Jerry Springer show, american idol with grandkids, The contender--- with the boxing toys, Casino "texas hold'em tournament" with the computer-- who can get the most points in 5 minutes or something....... The price is right, i am getting off track. Hope everything works out great!

Thanks a lot!!

Braydon, I don't see any problem with it-- except that you might be seen as a moocher-- so my suggestion is that you offer her a cig once in a while too! Or else start saying, Oh I have mine, but thanks! Great bonding time too!

In Houston, we don't really have a winter, so we do nothing with winter blues or snow--- but we are getting ready for the rodeo here. We have cowboy storytellers come in and do a show, country and western music with some haybales for decoration. You could have some line dancing or teach line dancing or have a square dance competition. Have a visiting petting zoo come along with cows, horses, and sheep. We have a Go Texan Day --- although I think it is in Early February, but everyone dresses in cowboy hats and boots. It is something different anyway. January also marks the beginning of new TV shows-- so you could have a TV party--- make a soap opera like they did in the movie 28 days, have a survivor contest with local high school and let the residents participate. Have an American Idol with a karoke machine (we use the grandchildren for this--- it is so cute to watch a 5 year old try to sing instead of someone who is old enough to "know better") Have the nurses and staff do a skit from ER or the Administrator do a skit with West Wing or even better, Jerry Springer! Have an Oprah Show where the Admin (who dresses up like her) gives everone in the audience 100 grand (candy bars that is). You could also go back in time and do old shows.

I work with a community center nearby and when I need some volunteers, I just call her and she puts it in her newsletter that reaches far more people than mine does. We use volunteers mostly for computer classes--- teenagers are ok with this. We have a lot of people who want to be friendly visitors--- but 95% of the volunteers never show up-- so our poor residents are sitting in the lobby for 2 hours waiting on someone. But I think I got off track........no, we don't have a generalized letter--- a phone call to a specific club or group usually does it--- and our high schools around here require that students put in so many community service hours so, getting volunteers are usually no problem. We have also used high school clubs to come and put on plays, birthday parties, dance parties, and we have helped other schools make costumes for their play in exchange for them to come put on a play at our facility.

I received a very disturbing letter this morning from one of our residents. She stated that she will not pay her membership dues to the Residents' Coucil because I do not plan any activities for blacks. She then goes on to say that she doesn't approve of what the money is being spent on. HOW??? How can bingo and painting be excluding blacks? And any other activity!!!! We are definately a multi-ethnic place--- 75% is Russian, 20% is Asian, and the rest is sprinkled with American born(including blacks), spanish, french, and others. I have talked to her before-- when she asked why we didn't do anything for Martin Luther King Day. I explained that we don't celebrate anything except 4th of July and Holidays in December. I also said that she should come to the Program Meetings where everything is planned and help them decide on what to do( we only have 2 people that come). So instead, she does nothing, then blames me and sends a letter to my administrator.--- Thankfully, My boss is great and is on my side. She thinks I should take her aside and talk to her. How would any of you handle this?

I would imagine this would be obvious, but would definately tie in with the poem. Make a beach theme. Fishing nets at table runners or even table cloths. Dried starfish as place card holders or take home gifts. Candles with sea shells inside them and around them in a shallow bowl would be pretty too. If you don't have to have a formal, then have the residents come in beach clothes-- hawaiian shirts, play trivia games, have a limbo contest--- even with the staff and the residents watching, tiki torches, serve ham and pineapple. you can even make the sea scape things out of gel or oil and water-- with little sea creatures inside-- very soothing.

Too bad about it having to be so formal. But at least it gives the residents something to dress up for and feel honored and special. We only have $1.00 per resident when it comes to volunteer gifts, so one year, we did the whole" A paperclip for keeping it all together, a lifesaver for being one, a rubberband for being flexible... blah blah. I thought it was tacky and horribly cheap and would come accross that way, but instead, I got a lot of compliments-- the residents thought I made it up on my own. I also make certificates for each one-- on a postcard size. They collect them! Some have 27! Last year, I wrote something about each volunteer and show my appreciation to their dedication. While the first 5 went great, attention was lost quickly! Good Luck!

For our volunteer appreciation-- we do a High Tea with an Oscar's theme. We give out awards for funniest, most hours a month, most helpful, most active, etc., The awards are toy figurines painted gold and set on an upside down plastic cup. It was really cute. The main award is for Volunteer of the Year and we get a glass trophy and engrave it. The residents vote on everything. We serve a dessert and tea. My budget is $200. I also make every volunteer a small certificate and put it in a cheap dollar store frame. But each year, my gifts are different. Good Luck!

Thanks for all the input! I really feel a lot better. We have nearly 400 residents, so corporations doing something for everyone is really impossible. We are lucky to get it for 100. We also have an active Residents' Council and Program Committee that do a lot of the planning and volunteer work--- which is a great help. Whenever they suggest something, we usually do it. We have a nice budget to work with and we frequently do things for all residents that want to come-- which is almost never more than 125. I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way every now and then. I love my job and couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Thanks for letting me vent! Angie

Hi Everyone! I feel like I am pulling my hair out at this facility! Quite a few residents have come to me wanting a game/card group started. We tried last year and only had 2 people come. (And we do have lots of residents who play cards and other games on their own. ) So anyway, I got a late call from a High School group who wanted to come and spend time with the residents the very next week, so I suggested having a game day. They can bring board games, I bring the cards and see what happens. I wasn't happy about such short notice and not being able to get the word out, and it being superbowl sunday, but she insisted that the group couldn't do it any other day, so I cancelled my out of town plans and superbowl party. Well, they were supposed to have 20 kids and only showed up with 3-- which is fine, and they were 10 minutes late--- I was ready to go home and had already taken the signs down. I only had 3 residents show up too! I am really upset because the ones who SUGGESTED we have games didn't show up!!! In fact, I seen the lady and when I told her that it was still going on, and there was only 3-- she said " I am glad I went out instead and had fun!!!". That hurt! She came to my office 2 weeks ago and complained about the only thing for them to do is play Bingo! I got very upset and told her so, I also said that I have at least 5 activities a day for everyone to participate in, and she was welcome to give more ideas and suggestions for activities. She said she just wanted card games. I try very hard, but can't seem to get people involved. The residents are getting younger and more physically active--- taking care of grandkids during the day-- they have their own cars and can do whatever they want, they don't need me to direct them and they don't need to be involved. On the flip side---- at the same time this is going on, a corporation is bringing barbecue dinners and volunteers for a party. BUT... they only have enough money to serve 100 people. This is thier 3rd year doing this. I never have more than 125 at any given party. But I give out 100 tickets and then start putting people on a wait list. I ran out of tickets in 4 hours!!! So now residents are telling me that I should have more tickets, the company that is coming should feed everyone and they are generally pissed at me for not "saving" them a ticket! I have talked to the company to see if they could skip the dessert and get more meat-- which of course they have to call me back. I understand the residents point of view, but I really believe that they are just being very very greedy!!! I couldn't PAY resident's to come to a party where I wasn't giving something out for free!!! They don't need the facility to keep them occupied and busy. I feel like I am beating my head against a wall-----and all I am getting is a huge headache. Thanks for listening-- I feel better now.

I admit, I work in a completely different environment than most--- (IL, 400 residents, and I am the only AD) I work 40 a week, with about 5 hours overtime a month (which I get comped for). My advice is to not give up on ADing just yet. It sounds like you are at the wrong place. Try moving to a new facility-- granted, you will have stress wherever you go, and you will have to give up some of your personal time and maybe even paying up front every once in a while. But I would definately talk to the Admin before hand and make sure that is what is expected. Another idea: Can you get some of the residents to help you? Such as calling Bingo while you do your documentation? Can you make a standard form where all you have to do is just add a little on each person?

With such a small group, try starting a Red Hat group, and a men's discussion group-- call Home Depot or Lowes and have them come and set up a work station for an hour. Call the local fire and police to give safety talks. Take a tour to different musuems, and trips--- Our precinct provides free buses once a month. Wal-mart is very good about giving us donations once a month and we have a breakfast of bagels and cream cheese and lox. Have an art student from a local high school or college come in and give art classes. Call community centers for donations of paint and supplies or free entertainment, and volunteers. Many churches have different musicians---have them come and perform for free. Our Houston Symphony will also play for free during the day. Starting a book club with large print books or audiotapes might also work well for your group. Use the residents to do volunteer work such as help distributing the newsletter, making coffee, or whatever. Then have them join with RSVP---they give a wonderful volunteer banquet. It is nationwide too. If your residents can knit, start a knitting club and make booties and caps for sick and premie babies for the local hospital. The hospital will probably provide the yarn and maybe even the needles. Hope this helps!

Diana, My job is super.... good luck trying to steal it (they say I am the best) ha ha ha. We have 380 residents ( all independent Living) No documentation on any resident. Because it is called a retirement facility and it isn't run by state, I don't have any rules to go by-- I can do whatever I want. My title is program service coordinator and offically, I am in charge of the computer center, and that is what I get paid for. The trips and parties are all bonus. I am not certified in anything (and don't have to be). I found this job in the newspaper after being burned out working with child sex offenders and child murderers for two years. Most of the residents either speak Russian or Chinese---so the hardest part of my job is trying to make trips and parties and other activities fun without using words! Ha! Because then we would have to have 2-3 translators-- and that would take forever. But there is never a dull moment. I almost never go up to a person's apartment, they come down to me, and the sick and hermits, I never see--- which is not very many. But I don't have to worry about them (the social worker does). Out of 380 residents, I have close to 100 volunteers who handle most everything ( I just schedule). And of course, if there is a problem, then they tattle on each other and I have to handle it. My job is in Houston, and there is another place that I am pretty sure is hiring--- much more money, huge budget, very rich residents (they pay $3000 month for a small apartment---IL) and you get to travel all over the world. email me if you are interested.

We have an Independent Living facility, and our policy is that unless the RESIDENT puts a concern or complaint in writing, it never happened. But we document everything in our RC mtgs. One resident asked to have an additional water machine in the facility at the meeting, because the other one was always being broken by residents. So we didn't feel that needed to be written down (on a seperate form ) because it wasn't a personal complaint, it would benefit everyone. Instead, it was documented in the minutes and the next month, when the secretary read the minutes, she asked staff for an update on the concern. But another time, someone complained that her stove wasn't working and wanted to know what the staff was going to do about it. She then had to go to the office and write up a work order, and was also told that personal problems are not handled in the Residents' Council Meeting.

We always serve champagne at our New Year's Party, and wine during Shabbat. The residents frequently bring vodka to our trips and parties-- but I usually pretend not to notice. Once we gave small bottles of vodka to all the men for father's day. Having a happy hour would be a good idea, but who pays for the alcohol?

hi