bigchris

As of right now, the new MDS is hard to find. I have seen bits and pieces, but I have not viewed the entire document. If anyone knows where to see the whole thing. Please let us know. Thanks, Chris

From the August 2004 issue of the Long Term Care Survey Alert-Vol. 6 No. 8 Survey Trends- CMS Upping the Ante for Activities: The most recent drafts of proposed changes to the MDS include revised guidelines for 2 F-Tags under activities/activity director ( F248 and 249). Surveyors will use the changes to assess the level of severity at any tag that has caused negative psychosocial outcomes. The draft for activities also includes a new survey protocol that would determine if "the facility has developed and provided each resident with an individual and ongoing program of activities that is designed to meet interests and attain the highest practible level for well being."

Pen, Yeah you know I do.... I will put my info later. I start school next week so give me a chance to get started. I will keep you updated. BC

I am going to pat myself on the back..... I am currently working on a fundraiser Auction. For those of you who have not done this before take note. It ain't EBAY!!!! There is a ton of work in doing it!! Anyway, I hit the pavement this week and we have landed $2,000 in donated items and many interesting items that should sell well!!! Including memorabilia, autographs and other unique things!! Hooray, off to a banging start!! Let me know your stories.... Anyone else do an auction? Chris

I had to a few times, it tested the creativity. Since then I haved learned how to change and I keep a stock of "emergency" supplies for several occasions. I also keep emergency bags for different scenarios. Folks have asked for information on these and I am compiling that. Let me know if you are interested and I can send it to you when I am done. FYI- My most interesting was a Fire!!! Chris

Education--- Here goes: I have an art degree.....then went back to school and got a Bachelors in Communication and Psychology, while in school I began a Masters in Gerontology but got Burned out. I am now in Grad School going for an MBA. I would like to run my own place. Chris

Tremendous.....A great source for gift certificates and free meals is local restaurants. If they don't give you enough to make an exciting prize or gift. Combine several into a gift "basket" that have related items. I have combined Mexican food, salsa and music. Italian Food, gifts and cookware. Hot Dogs, Baseball tix and apparel.

Talk it up folks, we need some chatter!!!

I work in a very conservative Christian facility and we shy away from any alcohol related items. However, we do let residents have it in the AL and with a doctor's script in the NH. BC

Kerrie, It has been rumored for years that the Activities program and the usefulness of activities has been on the minds of State Surveyors for years. WHile I have not heard of the new version of the MDS (and frankly don't look forward to the idea) I do know that State is concentrating more on what we do in the facility, not just the cleanliness and the care. The changes that you see are problably a reflection of this and hopefully changes from the old MDS, which I think is too vague in the first place. BC

Does anyine realize why HIPPA was started???? Bonus points for the complete answer!!! BC

Timber, Microsoft Publisher....tons of pictures, fonts and formats for calendars. BC

Grant and Request Writing-Reply at will Greetings-I want to leave you each a new topic for the weekend. Have you ever gone to a local store and they told you they require your request in writing? Did you know that there is a recommended way to write a request for goods and services? Do you feel uneasy wtiting them? Let me know and we can talk it out...... BC

Rosa, Microsoft word can do a newsletter, but I use Publisher because anyone can use it and I can delegate out articles to others. If you want to get more sophisicated Adobe makes a ton of good Software, most noteworthy, Page maker. Chris

Stacy, I am sorry that you were bummed by the evacuation. But, you also need to look at a few other things, hopefully they will brighten your outlook. 1) You pulled off an event and you learned what your residents like....food. 2) You may have influenced someone to work in the field. 3) You got residents involve, even if it was a short time. 4) You tried...... Remember, sometimes things don't go over the way we want. Sometimes we don't have perfect events. You need to feel good becuase you tried and you learned. I hate to sound cheesy, but you'll get 'em next time!!! Chris

A word of warning when using "FREE" web sites..... These sites sell your information to companies that advertise all over the internet. Please be very careful when using these services, otherwise you will have a ton of spam. My advice on this topic..... Avoid the free sites- and follow some simple steps. 1) Define what you and your department needs. Create a wish list of items. This can be done in order of price, order of need, etc. Make sure that you specify which. 2) Learn simple grant writing techniques. This can be done on the internet or at a local college. It will teach you the right way to "beg". 3) Be creative- companies generally receive 10-15 requests a week (locally) make yours stand out. 4) Be persistent and be appreciative. If a company refuses a request, don't quit or take it personally. If they grant a request, thank them!!!! More later..... Chris

Pen, I have a request....can you block SPAM on the old site? If not just take mine off and I will use :bigchris1974@hotmail.com - from now on. If you can access my account you can see there are 1,500 spams. I can't delete them all!!! Smooch, Chris

Pat, I think that you were right in your decision, to be safe I would get a copy of the job description. Chris

Diana, Thanks for the feedback, I write like I talk and you can tell I talk a bunch! Chris

Hello all, I decided to take this on since there were no topics listed. I am in Georgia and we are having a time with the "feeding" issue. As you may know, one of the easiest ways to get participation is to offer food. However, in GA you have to be certified to feed. This means a CNA. Does anyone else deal with this? Also...on Hydration. We do a hydration program and drink cart. Anyone else? Chris

Hot Dogs!!!!! We are doing an entire month of Hot Dog stuff. Tomorrow we will have dogs with all of the trimmings and I found a PBS video on Hot Dogs of the World at Big Lots. It is Called "A Hot Dog Program"- Original Huh?

Please let me know if you have any questions on this topic, I can address them all in a group or individually. Chris

Good Feedback!!!! On thank you notes....... It is imperative that you over-do thank you's.....Attempt to get a newspaper article on the donation, especially if it is a Big Lots, Wal-Mart, etc. Take lots of pictures and have the staff verbally say thank you. If you take your folks on shopping trips to those stores, make a call ahead of time to announce that you are coming and tell them that you will be doing your shopping there from now on. Appreciate, Appreciate, Appreciate!!!!!

I have just added an article on a Bingo Prize Fundraiser that we did last year. We received over 500 prizes and the cost was very low. Let me know what you think. bigchris

Fund Raising- We have had some success with fundraisers, however, more success has come fro actually asking for the items. Namely Bingo and Birthday Prizes. I have included an article that went into Creative Forecasting in the Articles section, I hope that it helps. Please let me know if I can do anything for ya. bigchris