mignyd

We do not use any music because I am certified as an elderly fitness instructor in addition to being a therapeutic recreation director and I want the residents to hear the instructions of each specific exercise. We run exercise 5 days a week, M-F, and we only work with the residents who were OK'd and/or referred to us thru physical therapy. Typically, they are referred to us after they finish the PT training series ,however long it may last, as a way of keeping active and improving their range of motion, balance etc. One thing I do is collectively ,as a group, we think of one seasonal exercise. We are using "watering the flowers" as our current spring exercise. We switched from "making snow angels" in our chairs for winter and before that it was "raking leaves" for fall. I have often seen some of my exercise patrons exercising in the halls by themselves on the weekends untill we meet again on Monday. In particular, my retired military men, who like the familiarity of routine exercise and would feel silly if I turned on music. One of the men is my official "counter" who helps me count down the repititions. All of our exercises are seated and we are not allowed to use weights at my facility unless it is thru the PT department. Donna in CT

Hi , I work in a 102 bed LTC facility and I am one of a three person recreation department in CT. We wear professional but casual attire. We try to match our activity so I have been known to come into work dressed as a cowgirl, a harlequin clown and even Frank Sinatra but for the most part it's no jeans or sneakers or shorts (even on our outside picnic days) and we also do not wear scrubs so we are not confused with the nursing staff. I have been mistaken for administration because of my professional plain clothes and big smile but never for nursing. It seems to work for the residents, family and visitors and we are happy not to have to wear a uniform like other departments (i.e. occupational and physical therapy or hospitality). Anyone else out there from CT???

What is your name? Donna What is your occupation? Therapeutic Recreation Assistant What are you listening to right now? silence What was the last thing you ate? seasame noodle bowl Do you wish on stars? Occaisionally If you were a crayon, what color would you be? rainbow How is the weather right now? warm but comfortable Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sister How old are you today?36 Favorite drink? diet coke Favorite sport(s) hiking Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes Do you wear contacts or glasses? No Pets? jack russell terrier Favorite month? November Favorite food? varies on my mood What was the last movie you watched? The wiggles Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving When was the last time you cried? when something happened that I could not have an impact on the outcome What did you do last night? slept What inspires you? people What are you afraid of? driving(do it ,but hate it) Favorite car? volvo cross country wagon Favorite dog breed? Parson Jack Russell How many years at your current job? just switched recently How many states have you lived in? – 3 along the east coast How many cities/towns have you lived in? 4 different cities