bigchris

In addition to NNW. If you choose not to be so specific. May is Older Americans Month. I have chosen this, because I have a very diverse population. So we celebrate the entire month for our Seniors! BC

One issue that I run into in my various travels is this.... In GA, there is no set value for activity directors. This happens for many reasons, and I will include the main ones that I hear. I welcome any feedback. 1) Profit vs. Non Profit- NORMALLY- Non profits pay more. 2) If the AD is in a management role or not. 3) Size of facility 4) Area in which the facility is located. Metro area pays more due to higher cost of living. 5) Experience/Certification

Thank you PEN. As you have seen, I will be doing some New Guidelines updating of the Care Plan Assistant, located on the Members site : http://members.activitydirector.com : I welcome any questions that you may have about your care plans. AD Network Subscribers :: login to the Care Plan Assistant to get in touch with me via CarePlan LiveHelp! for any assistance. If you have a resident that you cannot CP for, let me know! Looking forward to it. Chris a/k/a Bigchris

One year I introduced pies for a gift at Christmas. It went over very well! They were from a local baker that made them from scratch and also had diabetic pies as well. BC

Unfortunately( or maybe not) this is a female dominated field. Since I am a guy, I get called on to: lift heavy stuff, fix broken stuff, deal with combative residents, charge batteries, etc. But, guys have an advantage because the ladies in the faciliy love us and the male residents rely on us. In regard to ladies, in the worst scenario all I have to do is show the pearly whites and it all works out. So really this is a tremendous job! It gives me a chance to experiment wit hmy creative side, have fun with my fun side, love my folks and use my head all at the same time. I would jump off of a bridge if I had to sit behind a desk and do taxes!!!! BC

Hey kris, I am a guy in this great profession in GA and we have a grand total of 5 in the state of GA as of last October. It may have gone up. Bigchris

I would like some opinions from you all, because I have a course on this topic and I would like to hear from you.... Please tell me your Number 1 obstacle in getting donations...........

Yeehaw Stacy!!! I better see you in October at the Convention....

As I mentioned in my earlier post, go with caution. In my travels I have met a "ton" of administrators that say they have culture change in thier facility. Culture change is what it says, a change in the culture or overall vision of the facility. It is not a title. THe Pioneer Network is doing a ton of good stuff and there is new research on the topic, I would suggest the following things first.... 1) Research and visit those facilities that instill this vision, I would even advise to go to older facilities that "retrofitted" thier place. 2) Plan the process and realize that it will not be overnight. 3) Identify elements that seem crucial to your facility and residents. For instance, we chose to personalize the halls and floors beyond giving them a name or decor, we created entire themes for each unit that transformed them and the staff. 4) Create a team that deals with every aspect of the process. Hindsight is 20/20, I was very glad that I included front line employees and HKPNG. That should get you started. Let me know if you need anything else. BigChris

Bonnie, I would suggest that you read the book "Time Management for the Creative person" I had the same issues that you were going through when I started the job. I was also hindered in the fact that my former facility wanted me in umpteen meetings each day that drained my soul from me! Anyway, it has a ton of good tips that helped me immensely, I hoe it will you too... BigCHris

Pen, You forgot my Birthday on the 1st!!!

Well, we can get this going again! It will help too, since I am part of a team planning for the GA Activity Directors conference this year! We are trying to find a lot of stuff!

Sorry Karen, I got a little defensive...... BC

There are a ton of different sites that have recipes, however, I have found that it takes a lot of trial and error. Problably because I can burn water!!! But a good source is a magazine called Mother Earth News. It is based on homeopathic and natural ways..... I have had success with them. BC

I use the METRO brand of carts that are meant for hotels and service industries. They cost a bit more, but they are a heck of a lot more sturdy and they are germ resistant..... Look for a hotel supply company and shop around, sorry I have had it for years and don't have the origina catalog.... BC

Hello all, Can ya'll clarify some items for me, cuz Iam a bit confused... 1) Is your administrator telling you to falsify records and assess residents higher than they are? 2) If so, why?!?! Did they explain? 3) HAve you explained the new regs to them and that the state surveyors have been EXPLICITLY INSTRUCTED to find flaws in charting re: Activities???? Just asking, I didn't wnat to comment without knowing these things..... Be careful.... BIGchris

Why would you bump this topic? When I meet with others, one of thier biggest concerns is getting items under budget or for free. There were some good responses in this post, granted I talked a lot, but you knew that would happen.... BC

Pennie makes a good point..... We as AD's need to remember that the care plan is a "map" of the resident. It should give a good idea of the residents preferences on its own merits....

I do a health fair each year that has become successful. We focus on all of the issues that deal with my folks (diabetes, vision, etc.). We actually raise money by charging a vendor fee as well.

We do a "SENIOR" prom....get it? I know its cheesy but the residents love it. We do everything red, there was an episode of MASH that had it and I borrowed it from there.

Stacy, I think there is a shift from the former way of thinking in LTC. While not expressed outright....many people that have worked in this biz have assumed that the care plan is only for bad stuff! Problems, issues, behaviors, etc. In activities, we have a unique opportunity to change that mind set. And while some fields do CP on positive aspects, it is not very far reaching. When I heard that there was a possiblity for an activities revolution in LTC( about 5 years ago) I decided to have a care plan on every resident, no matter what. So I try to find something that we can CP on that will show how the resident interacts on a dialy basis to benefit his/her lifestyle. I have had to be a little creative.... i.e- WHen I programmed for a resident who smoked constantly, I activated outdoor garden tending.... But it is easier as you get through it. We have to remember, that activities are basically anything outside of: dining, rehab, care... and that they do not necessarily need to be "formal" activities where you are the host. Let me know if this helps. Chris

I just wanted to say that I am glad we are coming up on Christmas, this year we were lucky to have blessing upon us with the decorations... For those of you that don't know me, I am at a large facility in GA on 500+ acres. We decorate the whole campus and I counted 46 trees, 1 lifesize nativity scene, 14 wreaths and the fronts of 4 buildings! The payoff? All of the residents love em' !!!! We did have a big scare when the wind came through at 40 miles an hour.... Our manger/barn scene was launched about 15 feet. Nothing was broken!!!! Anyway, for all of you Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanza or whatever holiday your god bleeses for you! bigchris

I feel your pain.... In GA we have had 4 stories in the Metro Atlanta about NH violence in the past 3 weeks. If you begin to get frustrated... remember the journalist motto..." If it bleeds, it leads" They aren't looking for happy stuff to put on the news!!! Even though we make happy news, each day....

Gina, Let's talk....I work in GA and have been considering the same path.... bigchris1974@hotmail.com

Does anyone do anything new and exciting with thier forms?