Pennie

Dear Santa Letter week is Nov 5-9. This would be a good activity to get your residents involved in. You should type up a letter & include it in your Nov newsletter. Have the letter festive looking. Have the letter have a place for the kids to write a note to Santa, then a place for them to list what it is they want & then have them sign it. Tell them to give the letter to their parent(s) or grandparent(s) to mail. Ask the grand or parents to include the child's mailing address & to turn the letter into the activity department. You may want to include a deadline date. Then have a group of residents answer the letters to the children & the activity department can mail them. They can sign the letters Santa or The Elves. There is actually a website that I got this ideal from http://dearsanta.com you can check it out to get a better understanding. How fun would this be for your residents & imagine the smiles on the kid's faces when they get the letter. Have fun pennie

Common Sense Day is Nov 4th. I found a website where a contest is being held. The contest is simple: Visit his site and give him examples of the use of "Good Applied Common Sense". He's looking for times where you've used common sense and it has produced positive results. If your example is one of the top 3, you win a prize of free hour of his common sense coaching time, a $500 value, on one of three subjects: leadership, entrepreneurship, or career and life success. Everyone who submits an entry will receive a .pdf of his two ebooks: 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, and Star Power: Common Sense Advice for Career and Life Success.Check it out, I'm sure you will find it interesting! I believe it's something that everyone would be interested in because it's just good common sense to seek out new information from every possible source. Read all the information & decide if you might want to enter. ADN is not associated with him or this website. http://www.pharmagazette.com/2007/10/use_y..._superstar.html

Very Resourceful Susan...! Any AD with experience please help her out.. to send her a private message, login and press her Username.. Susan123 to send a Private Message to Susan ... later Pennie

Download an Enrollment Form Activity_Camp_email_info_1_.doc ActCamp.pdf ------------------ “Activity Camp” Purpose: For many older people with disabilities related to aging, illness or injury participation in favorite leisure activities may be difficult. The activity may need to be adapted or altered to allow for maximum enjoyment. In this hands-on training, workshop participants will learn how to make adaptations or alter activities to meet the needs and/or interests of their clients. This learning process will involve a minimum of twenty leisure activities. Objectives: Participants will… 1. …be able to adapt or alter activities discussed to meet the needs of their target populations. 2. …learn a minimum of twenty new activity skills. 3. …determine which clients may better benefit from each new leisure activity learned. 4. …explore new program techniques and ideas for special needs clients. 5. …share additional ideas sparked by the workshop content with the other participants in the workshop. Outline: 8:00-8:30 Registration & Coffee 8:30-9:00 An overview of the day and a review of the process of Activity Analysis 9:00-12:00 The use of crafts vs. creativity in a therapeutic setting: 1. using creativity in the LTC environment 2. special crafts for cognitively challenged clients 3. seasonal crafts 12:00-12:30 LUNCH 12:30-2:30 individual & small group games and activities 2:30-2:45 BREAK 2:45-5:00 Continuing with group games and other ideas for program planning 5:00-5:15 Closing remarks, evaluations & presentation of certificates of participation Instructor/Presenter: Pamela Sander, TRS/TXC, ACC Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, 39 years experience in health care, ad hoc faculty: Austin Community College, AD Classes Author of texts for LTC Activity Professionals, Professional Printing & Publishing LTC Recreational Activity Consultant, since 1978 WHO: Activity Directors, Recreational Activity Staff, any interested parties WHAT: 8 hours of continuing education sponsored by St. Dominic Village Activity Department Instructor: Pamela Sander, TRS/TXC, ACC; NCCAP approval has been requested. WHEN: Wednesday, October 17, 2007; 8:30-5:15 WHERE: St. Dominic Retreat Ctr., 2401 E. Holcombe, Houston. If you need directions, call Maria or Cleo at 713-741-8701, at St. Dominic Village Nursing Home. WHY: learn at least twenty new activity ideas including crafts, music and group games; network with some of the finest activity professionals in Texas. HOW MUCH: $60.00 per person in advance of Oct. 12, 2007; You must have a reservation to attend. Lunch is included in the registration fee. TO REGISTER: Complete this registration form and mail with check or money order made payable to: Pamela Sander, TRS/TXC, ACC 6809 Duquesne Dr. Austin, Texas 78723 Name:_________________________Facility:_______________ Address:___________________Zip:_____Check enclosed:____ Number of people attending:______Amount of check/MO:____ (If you have questions, call Maria at 713-741-8701, or Pam at 512-926-8713)

Hi I received these fro Farmer's Alamac; The top part might be good to use as a newsletter filler or trivia questions. The receip might make a good activity to do with your res. or put it in the newsletter. Later Pennie August is the time when some summer bugs are still at their best (or worst, as the case may be!). Herbs can be used for pest control. Dried wormwood, yarrow, santolina, tansy, mint, and lavender are traditional moth repellents. If you find unwanted creatures in your kitchen, don't reach for the poison. For example, discourage ants trailing in and out with sprigs of pennyroyal or wipe your counters with vinegar. If it's your pet that's bothered, try putting a drop of lemon oil or oil of rosemary on its collar for flea control. The Fly and the Flea Under ideal conditions, 336 trillion houseflies could develop from a single pair in one April-to-September season-just nine generations-if they all survive. A fly beats its wings 200 times a second, three times faster than a hummingbird. Fleas can jump 150 times their own length, vertically or horizontally. This is equivalent to a human jumping almost 1,000 feet! Fleas consume 15 times their weight in blood each day. Herb Vinegar ONE OF THE simplest recipes for using herbs is this 19th-century hint for making flavored vinegar: Pour plain vinegar over herbs in a bottle and let it sit for a month in the sun. What could be easier? A more refined vinegar can be made by taking approximately 1 cup of fresh herbs (basil, tarragon, or thyme, for example) and placing them in a clean quart jar. Heat vinegar just to the boiling point and pour it over the herbs, filling the jar to the top. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for at least three weeks for the fullest flavor. Strain the vinegar into 2 pint bottles and add a fresh sprig of the herb. (Use decorative bottles if you're planning to give these as gifts.) You can use a single herb in plain white vinegar, or try a medley of herbs in other vinegars (such as cider vinegar or red or white wine vinegar). Here are a few suggestions to get you started, but feel free to experiment and invent your own blends: white vinegar with tarragon leaves, basil leaves, and peeled shallots; sherry vinegar with fresh rosemary leaves, minced horseradish, or chopped dried chilies; red wine vinegar with sage, parsley, and shallots.

Hi I took the first word Reactive speech & typed it into Google Search (type definition after the word) you will find the answer you are looking for. Thanks pennie

Hi Cheryl Welcome to the website. If you have questions or wish to share please do so. Pennie

what a good way to boost moral. AD's can set this up with help from other dept heads speak with admin about paying for this out of facility budget. Quick tip to promote positive attitudes You can lose a lot of good nursing home employees if your work environment is too negative. If you're having problems promoting positive attitudes in your facility, try this simple idea--a "brag board." A brag board is a white laminated board you can hang in the staff lounge or another prominent place. Staff members mark up the erasable surface with encouraging and thankful notes to other staff. "It's meant to remind people to say nice things about each other," explains Lisa Saslaw, RN, corporate manager of RH Positive Computer Systems in Columbus, OH, who has noticed brag boards in a number of facilities. Saslaw recommends a board that is half laminate, half cork, so that staff can write notes on one side and hang things such as thank-you notes, newspaper articles, and pictures of activities on the other. Even administrators can use it, she advises, just to jot down a quick, "Great job, team!" or to recognize a good deed. And staff members will probably look for positive things to write about each other, putting a serious dent in workplace negativity. Saslaw adds that it's a good morale-booster to recognize each employee as a whole person who succeeds outside of work as well as at your facility. And you can even hang your board where residents and family members can contribute as well. Plus, the benefits far outweigh the cost-you'll probably spend about $50 at the most for a brag board and some erasable markers. "It's just an easy and constant reminder to say 'thank you' to each other."

From JCAHO Joint Commission restructures EM guidelines The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, this week tweaked its emergency management guidelines, urging nursing homes and other healthcare settings to test their emergency response systems. Of special consideration, said the JC, is a facility's ability to adequately handle a crisis when the local community is unable to assist. The Joint's new standards take effect January 1, 2008. Head to http://www.jointcommission.org to see them, and to http://www.hcmarketplace.com to order your subscription to HCPro's Briefings on the Joint Commission, for more on the Joint Commission.

Hi I received this in my email today. CMS releases new F-tag for paid feeding assistants CMS released draft guidance this week for F-tag #373, which covers nursing home use of paid feeding assistants and takes effect September 28. The agency's initial guidance on paid feeding assistants for SNFs arrived in September 2003, when CMS published a final rule indicating SNFs could use paid feeding assistants if state law allowed. Under F-tag #373, surveyors will determine noncompliance in any of the following cases: * The feeding assistant has not completed a state-approved training program * The feeding assistant isn't properly supervised * The facility has not selected an appropriate resident to receive paid feeding assistance * The facility has not maintained records indicating all paid feeding assistants have completed a training course To read the full draft guidance, head to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals and reference S&C-07-30.

Hi Yawl I had a member email me the other day about something I have never had happen. I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them or if anyone knows if this is a new survey thing. He had State in the building & the surveyor ask him for his past 3 months calendars & wanted the current month plus the next month's Activity Calendar. I know about the past 3 months & current month but never heard of them asking for prior month one. Ex: They are in the building & asking for this months calendar (August) & wanted to see Septembers. He said he has been an AD for 4 years & this was a first for him. I don't know the end result of his survey but this was a question that was new to me. So have any of you heard about this or had it happen to you? Thanks pennie

Hi I had forgooten about an activity I use to do with the resident's until Traci email asking about it. On Fridays I would play Resident Rights Bingo. We had a write & wipe board that we wrote a res. right on & kept it in the DR all week long. After the game was over a discussion was held about the game & which right did the residents feel was the most improtant one they had heard during the game. That would be the right of the week. The Social Worker was involved in this every Friday to answer any questions & to lead the discussion as this was his/her FTAG. Later Pennie

Need to hire a part time activity assistant Forum at Park Lane in Dallas Texas thanks, Jamie jjgavin25@yahoo.com

Hi Everyone, I was sen this email & though I'd share it with everyone. June 25, 07 CDC released a new set of guidelines that updated and expanded the isolation precautions. This is for hospitals and other healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities. It is rather long, 219-page Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007 This is a major revision to isolation precautions guidelines it & first one since 1996. As healthcare delivery has expanded to other settings, these new guidelines apply to ambulatory care, long-term care, home care and infusion services, as well as special environments such as pediatrics, intensive care units, and burn units.The link is below once you are there click on view as pdf. http://www.hcpro.com/content/72837.cfm Later Pennie

At Activity Directors Network we like the PrintMaster the best. We also offer 5 Themed Templates for each month on our subscription site, It has a complete month of ideas pre-choosen that you can use or edit to fit your facility. We offer 1500 activities to choose from.. As far as moving your recurring events forward each month, you can accomplish this, by creating one complete calendar (any month) then printing and mailing.. for the next month choose the dropdown menu the month and year, the Printmaster will move everything forward and you will then need to edit special events for that month, switch out a few graphics and your ready to print and mail. This recurring moves will not work if you load a new template each month, we normally open up the last month calendar, along with the present month calendar, then cut and paste in the days that are the same and edit the days that are changing. I have 11 copies of the Printmaster 17 Silver CD for sale if anyone is interested.. 9.95 plus shipping .. I will email a sample of our template to get you started.. let me know.. admin(at)activitydirector.net or PM me.. thanks, Pennie PS Click my Name in the upper left corner of this post to PM (private message) me...

Hi I ran across some links that you might want to check out for 1:1's or group activities pages to color & more http://www.coloring.ws/summer2.htm easy crafts http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/summer/

Description: Responsible to plan, organize, and implement a program of therapeutic activities designed to meet the social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, educational and physical needs and interest of residents in accordance with the comprehensive resident care plan. Position Requirements: Two years of experience conducting social/recreational programs within the past five years, one of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting. Educational Requirements: Completion of a state approved training course, Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by a recognized accrediting body. Those interested can contact the Human Resources Department. ManorCare Health Services - Sharpview 7505 Bellerive, Houston, TX 77036 713-774-9611

Description: Responsible to plan, organize, and implement a program of therapeutic activities designed to meet the social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, educational and physical needs and interest of residents in accordance with the comprehensive resident care plan. Position Requirements: Two years of experience conducting social/recreational programs within the past five years, one of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting. Educational Requirements: Completion of a state approved training course, Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by a recognized accrediting body. Those interested can contact the Human Resources Department. ManorCare Health Services - Webster 750 West Texas Ave, Webster, TX 77598 281-332-3496

Hi There! I am a Social Worker at a LTC facility and we are seeking a seasoned Activity professional. This is a tremendous opportunity for the right person who is experienced with not only the typical responsibilities, but one who is able to help coordinate the utilization of a vast number of volunteers at your fingertips! it's a beautiful and extremely friendly environment with peer support unlike I have ever seen. This is not your typical facility. Finances for budgeting is exceptional. If you are interested or know someone seeking please reply directly to me at abala@embarq.com

Hi Wubbley & everyone It is so sad that the res. are getting the short end of the stick. Admins &DOn's like that really ned to be removed from there current postions. They are treating the res & the Act staff unfairly. We can only hope they can change their ways or know that they will be placed in a facility ran by the same kind of folks when they get older. That being said, you have done what you can. If you must move on you should try to do one last thing for these res. Contact the Omsbudsman for your facility & info them of what is going on so that they can intervern on behalf of the res. They can be the res. & the family members voice(s). If that is not possible, which I don't know it would not be, contact the State & file a complaint against the facility. (you can do this without giving your name) But this approach usually does not work because like someone said "we just won't do it when they are here" is so true. They don't & they (the facility) get away with it. I am sadden by leaders in our facilities who act like this. They are the folks that set the examples of what they expect of their staff & how the res. get treated. I can only guess what is going on when we are not there. I know that I would not work at a facility like this for very long, I couldn't live with the guilt. I only hope we never put our parent's in a facility like this or as we get older that I kids don't put us in one like it. I say start looking now for another job & then take it. Just report the facility as you last act for the res. sake.

Pine Ridge Health Care, L.L.P. has job opening for a full time Activity Director. M-F 8-5 pm Competitive Salary & Benefits, Certification required. Please apply in person only M-F 1620 US Hwy 59 North, Livingston, TX 936-327-5415

I like this thought everyone might enjoy reading it. You could print it out & share it with your res. or even place it in your newsletter. No moving parts,no batteries No monthly payments and no fees Inflation proof,nontaxable, In fact,its quite relaxable. Can't be stolen,won't pollute, One size fits all,do not dilute. It uses little energy, but yields results enormously. Relieves your tension and stress, invigorates your happiness. Combats depression,makes you beam, and elevates your self esteem! Your circulation it corrects without unpleasant side effects. It is i think the perfect drug, may i prescibe,my friend......THE HUG..... Author unknown

Hi Deena Welcome to the site. You will find the people on the borad have wonderful hearts & more than willing to share ideals, give advise & offer a shoulder when neded. 26 years is a long time, can you share with us some of your hard earned wisdom. Like how do you keep from burning out? How have things changed over the years? Have you noticed a change as far as the residents who enter the facility now verses 26 yeras ago? Just somethings popping into my head. We love to hear from you. Again welcome welcome Pennie & all the folks from AD Network Team

Someone sent this to me via email. I thought it was cute & decided to share it. You could print this out & shrea it with a few of your resdients who might appericate it's humor. Father and the Hair Dryer A distinguished young woman on a flight from Ireland asked the priest beside her, "Father, may I ask a favor?" "What may I do for you?" "Well, I bought an expensive woman's electronic hair dryer for my mother's birthday that is unopened and well over the Customs limit, and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?" "I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie." "With your honest face, Father, no one will question you." When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?" "From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare." The official thought this answer strange, so he asked, "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?" "I have a marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused." Roaring with laughter, the official said, "Go ahead, Father. Next!"