gina

Hi Tinki (Karen), I dont know what happened to my message that I sent to ya,my mistake.Sorry. Anyway,I dont know the name of the company that is publishing my ideas(my friend works for a book company and showed her bossmy ideas for the books and I will have a meeting next month) so I will let ya know as soon as I know what happens at that meeting.... As far as writting something together,what did ya have in mind?I am open to that idea as well.Let me know, and thanks for the quick response! Have fun! Gina 8-)

Hi All, Well, most of ya know me, and if not my name is Gina and I have been doing activities for over twenty years now and have two websites,Activity Ideas that Work and Activity Chat and I am a moderator on this site.I am in the process of geting a few books published that I am working on and I had an idea for one and want your opinions.....What do you think of a book with "Activity Ideas that Work" with ideas from different directors from all over the states and countries? I am working on an Alzheimer's activity book and Assisted living activity ideas as well.Please let me know what you think and if you have a particular activity idea that has worked well for ya and would like to be in the book( with full credit ) please send them to me at:crazee_g2004@yahoo.com. Also, I am wondering what do most directors look for when purchasing publications for their work?.Thanks! Have fun! Gina :-D :-) ;-)

Here are some Planning ideas for a Hawaiian Luau: A ballroom or backyard area can easily be transformed into a tropical paradise with tropical foliage like: tropical palms, plants, & exotic flowers (Orchids, Hibiscus, Heliconia or Bird of Paradise). Usage of small trees, such as the 5ft. Banana Tree, a 3ft. plant, a Heliconia or Bird of Paradise arrangement have been very popular as centerpieces for a buffet table or salad bar. Raffia Table Skirts will add a festive look to your buffet tables. Trim with real leis or silk flower leis for an elegant look. Bamboo Torch Candlesticks trimmed with real or silk tropical flowers sit beautifully on tables. Centerpieces utilizing real fruits are very popular. A pineapple placed in the center of a real flower lei or silk flower lei with cocktail umbrellas stuck into the pineapple is a simple arrangement. Add a coconut next to the pineapple for an additional accent. Lighted centerpieces are also very popular. Some ideas might include: rectangular lighted boxes with limes or lemons placed in a row on top for long buffet tables. For round tables, a gold 3ft. mini spandex tower with palm leaves on top is elegant and sophisticated. Taller 6' or 8' towers can be used around the room too. Tall glass vases filled with Orchids, lemons or limes floating in water can be lighted from below with LED light bases or lighted colored lampshades can be placed on top to illuminate. Beautiful elegant linens will transform your event location into a party paradise. Lovely tablecloths like: Green Palm Leaves, Palm Trees, Coral Reef Nights, Oceana Chiffon, Banana Leaf, Maui, Tutti Fruiti, Tiki or Rain Forest can be used over coordinating solid colored tablecloths for an elegant, sophisticated look. Visit our sister site to view linen swatches on the tropical linens page. Tropical Bandanas make great napkins for a Luau or Beach theme party. Use a colorful silk flower slap bracelet for a beautiful napkin ring or place a single exotic bloom on top of a solid colored cloth napkin. For a beach bash a napkin tucked inside a pair of sunglasses is a cute accent. Affordable Ambiance! Make your luau theme decorations even more spectacular with easy-to-use and affordable gossamer. Create festive tropical backdrops or fabulous swags— the options are limitless! Deck out your hall in a forest of tropical green with this green palm leaf gossamer or cool off under the shade of this tropical palm tree gossamer. Tropical Lighting: Lighting is one of the important elements of any design. For parties or informal events tiki torches can be used to line walkways and party areas. Party lights in the shape of palm trees, flamingos, flowers & etc can be strung around the room or used to accent tables. Start out big with a Tiki Pavilion, add some Bamboo & Seashell Torches, and you have a wonderful focal point for all your festivities! Or try a Beachcomber Stand or Aloha Luau Hut. Guests will love to walk through this Luau Party Arch or a lighted, raffia cabana. Gobos can be used to project photo-realistic images (pictures, line drawings, logos) of just about anything onto walls, ceilings or a stage areas. Imagine parrots in flight illuminating the sky of your event room. Used alone, or in combination with other gobos, stunning results can be achieved. Games for the party: Pass the Coconut The players sit in a circle with one player holding a coconut. The music (a Hawaiian tune) begins and the coconut is passed around the circle until the music stops. The player holding the coconut when the music stops is out. The music begins again and the play continues until there is only one player left. Flamingos This is a game of elimination. Two players should stand about five feet apart, facing away from each other. Each challenger holds his raised foot behind him in one hand with a water pistol. On the signal each flamingo turns around and tries to make the other contestant lose his balance and drop his foot. The contestants may not touch each other, but a squirt of water is part of the game. The winner takes on the next challenger until there is only one player remaining. Build a Sandcastle If you're fortunate to have access to the beach, this activity is for you! If not, you can always compromise by filling a couple kiddy pools with sand. Divide your guests into teams and see which group can build the best castle. Treasure Hunt People love treasure hunts. So why not bury some small party favors in and around the Backyard / party area and let them go at it. Tug O' War You will need the following items: Rope - 20' long Rope - 6' long Tropical Bandana or some kind of cloth Divide your guests into two equal teams. Choose a large grassy or sandy area to play this challenge. Place the 6' rope on the ground in the middle of the chosen area. Have teams line up in single file on either side of the center line, arms length apart. Tie the bandana or cloth in the center of the 20' rope and place over the center line. Each player grabs the tugging rope and at the signal tries to pull the first member of the other team over the center line. Have fun! Gina :-D

Hi Shayna! I worked for a locked psych.facility a few years back and I did crafts with the residents daily.As long as they were on their meds I never had a problem with any supplies being used for anything other than crafts,but I did do alot of music activities and word games with them too.Try having sing alongs,musical instrument bands and have musical entertainment for your residents.We also had cooking class twice a week which was a big hit with my group.What about a creative writing group,pick a topic and have the residents write about it,talk about it.I also use to do an activity called Remember when? Which was fun for the older residents as well as the younger ones,you pick an item or items to talk about,say the old ice boxes,get all the info you can from the internet,pictures etc. and talk about how the item has changed through the years.My residents really enjoyed that activity too. I know that it is alot more challanging working with the mentally disturbed but just try different things out on them and see what works for your group. Let me know how you are doing and if you need some more ideas. Have fun! Gina :-D By the way, where are you at in Az? I am in Litchfield Park,near Goodyear.

Hi, What about an ice cream sundae party,the residents can make their own sundaes?Get all the fixins'and let them go at it. Or make ice cream cookie sandwiches.Get oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream. Very fun to make and to eat! ~~~~~~~ Word Games: Write ICE CREAM on a white/chalk board and have residents come up with different words from that word, divide the room in half and make it a contest to see who can get the most words! Ice Cream Word Search link: http://www.thepotters.com/puzzles/kids/icecream.html How many Flavors? Pass out a blank sheet of paper and pencil and give residents a set time (say two minutes) and have them come up with as many different flavors as they can write down in two minutes. Give a small prize to the winner. ~~~~~~ Ice cream/ Banana Split scavenger Hunt: Give residents a magazine and a list of items to look for thru the magazine. Example: Hot fudge,Carmel,Whipped Cream,Cherries,Vanilla ice cream, Bananas,Nuts,etc. ~~~~~~ Hope these help.... Have fun! Gina :-D

Hi Heavenstar, I am just curious why do you feel like Now you need to get certified? Is your boss asking you or why? Have fun! Gina :-)

Hi all, Here is a fun idea to use for your Dementia/Alzheimers residents... Have a large container with the following items in it,pull it out when ever your act.plans fall through or entertainment doesnt show up,etc. Crafting station: Set up a table with misc.supplies such as: film canisters egg cartons milk cartons stickers bingo dobbers old cds old cassette tape cases boxes cereal boxes magazines shoe boxes baby food jars confetti old pill bottles(clean out first) pvc pipe pieces construction paper felt pieces glitter sticks(glue w/glitter) and any other items you could find Let your residents just look at all the supplies you have and let them use their imagination to make something fun! Have fun! Gina :-)

Hi Michelle Jim, You will want to reach the AAAP. Arizona Association of Activity Professional P.O.Box 2206 Scottsdale,Arizona.85252-2206 I can send ya the info.packet if ya send me your address. The vice president is Linda Petty and she was working at Citadel Care Center her work# is 480-832-5555 I dont know if she is still there or what,but try to give her a call. As far as entertainers, e mail me at crazee_g2004@yahoo.com and I will give you some phone numbers. Have fun! gina

Hi Kimberly, I have been in your shoes more times than I care to admit,being in this field for over 20 years,let me tell you there is alot of complaining and grumbling from your residents,ALWAYS!!!!! The thing that you need to focus on is the residents that WANT to come to your acts. and that enjoy your acts! There will always be people( not just the seniors,either!) that just LOVE TO COMPLAIN!!!! Dont listen to the rest!!! Be proud of what you are offering and dont give any time or effort to these people!!! I am now on a break from the being an Activity Director because I needed a break! I too was burnt out!!! I am now raising my two year old dtr.( and four boys) and running a daycare out of my home, but I do miss being an Activity Director for seniors and will go back in a few years when my dtr. goes back to school. Until then I am trying to stay active online with my websites and helping new directors like yourself. Feel free to email me personally at: crazee_g2004@yahoo.com if you want to chat or need help with anything.The ladies and gents on this board are GREAT and always try to help each other.... feel free to join my activity chat group at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ActivityChat/ Have fun!!! gina

Hi All, Here is a fun game idea I ran across on a site called funattic. I thought it would be fun for Fathers Day. Dad Challenge Required: Clothes line, clothespins, phone, basket, clothes and baby doll Players: Small to large groups Hang a clothesline at the party scene, then hand each player a phone, a baby (doll of course), a basket of clothes and some clothe pins. The object of the game is to have each player hold the baby properly, while on the phone and hanging clothes. They must at all times be chatting on the phone and hold the baby as if it were real. See how many clothes they can hang on the line in 60 seconds, but the object of the game is to see if they can handle a mom’s job for 60 seconds without dropping the child or the phone. Good Luck and Enjoy! Dads of all ages and men in general are encouraged to play this game. Have all men, teenagers and especially, fathers give it a try. This is a great game for father/son outings. It is hilarious to see them juggle so hard to keep that baby in their arms.

Hi All , You know, I have only recently heard about this approach for seniors,my own children have been taught this approach to learning in preschool.I have actually used many approaches / activities that I do with my own children on my Alzheimers and Dementia residents and have found great success with it! I think what ever works for you and you residents is a great idea,whether it is specifically designed to use on them or not. I am very interested in learning more about this though, who has used this, and what the outcomes were...... Have fun! Gina :-)

Hi All, I am wondering if anyone does any type of Aromatherapy type activities at their facilities and if so what they do? I have done hand massages with different type aromas,etc.but I just came across this site and was amazed at how many things that you can do with aromatherapy,they have classes to get certified too. The site that I went to: http://www.aromaweb.com/default.asp Check it out,it was very informative. Have fun! gina :-)

Roses Trivia, Meanings, and Myths • The real beauty in roses is the story behind them. For centuries, roses have inspired love and brought beauty to those who have received them. In fact, the rose's rich heritage dates back thousands of years. • People have been passionate about roses since the beginning of time. It is said that the floors of Cleopatra's palace were carpeted with delicate rose petals, and that the wise and knowing Confucius had a 600 book library specifically on how to care for roses. • Wherefore art thou rose? In the readings of Shakespeare, of course. He refers to roses more than 50 times throughout his writings. • One thousand years old. That's the age the world's oldest living rose bush is thought to be. Today, it continues to flourish on the wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. • Why white roses are so special is no mystery -- it's a myth. Perhaps it started with the Romans, who believed white roses grew where the tears of Venus fell as she mourned the loss of her beloved Adonis. • Myth also has it that Venus' son Cupid accidentally shot arrows into the rose garden when a bee stung him, and it was the "sting" of the arrows that caused the roses to grow thorns. And, when Venus walked through the garden and pricked her foot on a thorn, it was the droplets of her blood which turned the roses red. • It's offical -- the rose is New York's state flower. • The rose is a legend of its own. The story goes that during the Roman empire, there was an incredibly beautiful maiden named Rhodanthe. Her beauty drew many zealous suitors who pursued her relentlessly. Exhausted by their pursuit, Rhodanthe was forced to take refuge from her suitors in the temple of her friend Diana. Unfortunately, Diana became jealous. And, when the suitors broke down her temple gates to get near their beloved Rhodanthe, she also became angry, turning Rhodanthe into a rose and her suitors into thorns. • Dolly Parton may be known for her music and theme park. But, rose lovers know her for the orange / red variety bearing her name. • A rose by any other name... According to Greek Mythology, it was Aphrodite who gave the rose its name. • While the rose may bear no fruit, the rose hips (the part left on the plant after a rose is done blooming) contain more Vitamin C than almost any other fruit or vegetable. • The rose is a symbol of the times. In fact, it's the official National Floral Emblem of the United States, where June is National Rose Month. • Leave it to the romantic French to be the ones to first deliver roses. It was in the seventeenth century that French explorer Samuel deChamplain brought the first cultivated roses to North America. • Roses are truly ageless. Recently, archaeologists discovered the fossilized remains of wild roses over 40 million years old. • The people of ancient Greece used roses to accessorize. On festive occasions, they would adorn themselves with garlands of roses and splash themselves with scented oil. • Napoleon's wife Josephine so adored roses, she grew more than 250 varieties.

Hi All, I found a great site with lots of fun crafts,games,trivia and recipes for National candy Month. Check it out: http://www.candyusa.org/Classroom/calendar.asp Have fun! 8-) Gina

Hi Amber, Have you ever had a Fathers day Bbq? You could have a bbq and play old fashioned games like have a sack-race, a pie eating contest,horse shoes game, water balloon contest,even a scavenger hunt. I have always had an "Ol' time Father's day BBQ" every year and it has always been a hit! Decorate the patio/garden area in the red and white check picnic tablecloths and balloons.Serve hamburgers and hot dogs,potato salad,corn on the cob,watermelon etc. You could have a father/child picture contest,get old pictures of your resident and one of their sons/dtrs and glue onto a poster board and have your guests try to guess which child goes with which father.Give out prizes to the winners. I hope this helps. Have fun! Gina :-D

Hey Donna, 1. What about going to the local mall in the morning and "power walking" with the residents around the mall. 2. Call a local florist,bakery,dance studio,mary kay consultant,etc. to come in and give your residents a class. 3.Have a night trip to the local horse/dog races. 4.Plan a trip to a local casino/gambling hall/Bingo hall. 5.Get a hold of the "Red Hat Society" and start up a chapter at your facility. 6.Hold a potluck every Friday night. 7.Have a weekly trip to the local senior center in your community,they usually have pretty cool stuff happenin'. 8.Make up flyers and put around your community for a "Singles mixer/dance". 9.Go to Home Depot or Lowes on a Saturday for a free workshop. 10.Hold a Summer Craft sale/ Bazzar, sell items that your residents have made(afgans,bookmarkers,needlepoint,etc) 11.Make a bowling league with your residents and go bowling weekly. 12.Have your residents get a "cause" such as a local battered womans shelter,childrens ward in a local hospital,and help them out ( hold a can food,toy drive,make baby blankets,etc) I hope these will help to get 'ya thinking outside the box! Have fun! Gina :-D :-D :-D

Hi Laree, This celebration has been around for some time now,but not very many people know about it or do anything for it.If you go to the AOA (Administration on Aging) website they will give 'ya lots of info and history about the celebration,also you can download this year's poster,its pretty nice. As far as activities,I have just usually had an open house/ dinner for the community to come in and see what the facility is all about. Check out the wesite: http://www.aoa.gov/press/oam/oam.asp I hope this helps! Have fun! Gina ;-)

Hi All, This whole topic is so silly to me. Each state has different regulations on what an " Activity Director" is.And when I started in this business over 20 years ago there was no NCCAP around and no national certification. I grew up in Calif. and all I needed is a basic 36 hour course(granted, I have since taken numerous courses on other subjects of interest for my field)But my point is, FOR ME, it was never, ever asked at any facility I applied for if I was nationally certified. I have worked for SNF,Assisted Living,and Alzheimer's Units.I pondered the question of if I should pay to be nationally certified and I decided it just was not important. With the experience that I have I could very easily get my certification to be a ADC but like I said before in Calif. it has never been an issue.I have since moved to Arizona and here is even more lax than Ca.,at my last job the girl before me had absolutly NO EXPERIENCE in any field (this was her first job and they made her AD,starting at $16.00 per hour!!) so it just goes to show that unless you are in a state that will only hire you if you are nationally certified, there is just no point in doing so, no one can make be believe that a person that is nationally certified knows any more about being an Activity Director than me with my experience. I am sure I will piss some people off with this post but I am just voicing my view on this totally silly subject. Gina Salazar AD (no C at the end!) ;-)

Hey Braydon, Great Idea!!!! I have been doing something very similar for years.I would get all the famous peoples birthdays or anniversaries at the begining of the month,then get all the info that I could find about the subject and have a whole activity on the subject. Example: In May, We have Katherine Hepburns Birthday on the 12th- I would get all the info I could about her on the net: pictures, movies biography, trivia, etc. We would go over all of it with the residents then end it with a movie of hers. The 8th of May- Coca Cola Day- In 1886 an Atlantic pharmacist ,Dr.John Pemberton,introduced his famous elixer for headaches.The medicine soon became Coca Cola! I used to have a taste test of different types of sodas with the residents, let them choose which one taste the best, and why? How would life be different if he never made that elixer and we had no soda? May 26th- John Waynes Birthday- Get the residents to pick their favorite picture of John Wayne, you would be suprised how many pictures are on the net of him. The Ladies loved him!!!! For free pictures of famous hollywood stars to print off your computer and such go to: http://www.classicmovies.org/gallery/blphotogallery.htm It does take alot of "outside" work to make the residents love going to Activities and to get them really involved. You sound like you love your job and have some wonderful ideas, Rock On!!!! Have fun! Gina :-D :-D :-D

Hey All, I am glad to hear that there are many of you that still enjoy your job,thats what our residents need! I on the other hand know when to leave,when I am not giving 200% like I have for the past 20 years, I know its time to move on to something else.I dont want to be one of those people that I have worked with for many,many years that just go to work and not enjoy my work, and thats where I am right now. I do know that there are wonderful perks of the job and dont want to discourage new A.D.s because it is a Great job when you are into it.The purpose of my post was just to vent MY feelings and to say thanks to all of my online friends. Have fun and keep in touch! Gina :-) P.S. - In answer to Mashonda's question- No I am too young to retire, I will be working with children now.

Hi All, Wow, I cant believe that I am finally saying this but I have officially retired from Activities....... :cry: Yes, I have had enough of Administrators that are 10 years younger than me telling me things that I know are wrong and wanting me to lie on paper work,Tired of cnas/nursing staff talking about how we make so much for doing nothing but playing "bingo", all the paper work, death and so on..... I know I sound bitter, but after 20 years in this buss.I have just had enough, when I started at age 17 in a nursing home i was so nieve and innocent, I wanted to save the world,now at age 37 I know that I have helped make a difference in alot of peoples lives and for that I am soooooo grateful!!!! I have made many friends along the way here ( Pennie,Pat,Linda,Bob,Miguel and more)and in person and I will still stay in touch with the site and add my 2 cents every now and then but for now I am saying bye,bye and thanks for the memories ,I know I am leaving the activities world in bright new hands that will do a wonderful job. If anyone wants to reach me : crazee_g2004@yahoo.com. Have fun! Gina :-D

Hi Linda, I just saw the site and it looks GREAT!!!! I have been so busy latley and havent even had a chance to say a big THANK YOU for moving my site with yours!!!! Thank Bob too, I know I took ALOT of work to do this for me!!!! Words cannot say how much I appreciate what you have done for me. THANKS :-) Have fun! Gina

Hey Pennie! WOW one year, it doesn't seem like its been that long since you changed the format of AD.com and made this great network!!!! I do believe its a hit,LOL Thanks for all the work you do!!!! This is and will always be the #1 place to be for A.D.s!!!! MANY THANKS !! Gina :-)

Hi Alan, When I had my survey the surveyors like the fact that I had many short activities throughout the day.We do many "lifeskills activities" also such as folding clothes,sorting the utencils for meals,sweeping or vaccuming,seting up tables for lunch,etc. We also do an afternoon walk( for my sundowners) called the Sunshine Club,(they liked that one!). We have a dog, a rabbit, fishes and birds that we take care of also, my residents love the animals. We also go out once a week to McDonalds for lunch and once a week to drive around and look at the city for our "Joyride". We have a What's Cooking group that makes easy recipes each week(tuna,fruit salad,grilled cheese (using the George Forman Grill). We also have Lotions and Potions, this group gets hand and arm massages and aromatherapy( essental oils burning in crock pot). I have made up tons of "sensory boxes". Examples, A beach box with sand ,shells,an ocean CD,pictures of the beach, ocean scent airfreshener,etc. A circus box,peanuts,a clown doll,raffle tickets, a lion figurine. A baby box,a baby doll, a diaper, baby lotion, baby powder,blankets, a bottle. We also have a musical band each week where we use instruments that we made. I hope these we help. Have fun! Gina :-D Oh by the way, I had a great survey,Good luck to you!!!

Hey Diana, Thanks for sharing the great links!!!! Here are a few more for March,Spring and Easter: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/spring/ http://www.abcteach.com/directory/theme_un..._month/c_march/ http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/spring/spring.html http://www.alphabet-soup.net/eas/easter.html http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Easter/ Have fun! Gina