gina

Hi All, OH I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW!!!!! :-? I just went to my website,Activity Ideas that work and found out that they(ivillage) are being taken over by Lycos and I will have to move my site again!! This happened to me in 1999 when netscape got bought out, I had to rebuild my site on another network provider and took many months of work to do.Well, I have been with netscape since 2000 and thought I would be safe there.AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!! I have put soooooooo much work into my site and I just dont have time to start again(when I started my site in 1996 I only had three kids and was working part time at an apt complex doing activities, I now have five kids,a puppy and work full time!) I just dont have time to rebuild it again and that makes me mad and sad! :cry: I know that many of you that visit this site have been to my site and I appreciate all the great messages that you have signed into my guest book and emailed me over the years, I just wanted to say Thank you and let ya know that If there is anything on my site now that you want to print out and copy to save you should do it soon, the site will be gone in one week( alot of notice they gave us huh?) Anyway thanks to this site I know I always have a place to vent! Have fun! gina :-)

Hey Gary, I checked out your site and I loved it! I think that your site is a great resource for those of us working with Alzheimer's residents. I put a link to your site on my sites, Activity Ideas that work- http://pages.ivillage.com/ginasalazar2004 and Activity Chat- http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Activ...yguid=178619319 KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! :-D :-D :-D Have fun! Gina

Hi Everyone, I have been doing some serious cleaning of my home and office and have lots and lots of great used resource books, Creative Forcasting & A New Day Magazines that I am selling at a quarter of their cost. This is a great opportunity for new Activity Directors to pick up some wonderful resources at a fraction of the cost of new books. If you see something you want E-mail me at : crazee_g2004@yahoo.com and I will get it out by mail for you the next day( all prices do not include $2.00 for shipping ). Here are the books available: The Power of Music A complete music activities program for older adults By Bill Messenger $ 5.00 Day by Day Activity Book A paper back book full of daily events,birthdays,etc. By Susan Ohanian $ 5.00 The Handbook of Dementia Care A bible for anyone working with Dementia residents. By Stehman,Strachan,Glenner,Neubauer $10.00 Moments from the Bible for Seniors A great tool to use with a bible for Bible study/Devotion Groups. By Golden Horizons $ 5.00 The Lost Chord Reaching people with Dementia through the power of music. By Melanie Chavin,RMT-BC $ 5.00 Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul Heartwarming stories for people over 60. By Jack Canfield $5.00 Long Term Care Caring that counts A book with ideas from various Directors. By Livermore and Associates $3.00 World Best Puzzles Tons of fun with word puzzles. By Michael Mager $1.00 Hiring and Firing What every manager needs to know. By Skillpath Seminars $5.00 The Supervisor's Guide Guide to coordinating people and tasks. By Skillpath Seminars $5.00 Care of Alzheimer's Patients: A Manual for Nursing Home Staff By AHCA & Alzheimer's Association $ 5.00 Activity Programming For people with Dementia A Sourcebook By Alzheimer's Association $10.00 Pep up your life A fitness book for Seniors By AARP $ 2.00 501 Fun to make Family Crafts A hardcover book of fun craft ideas. By Better Homes and Gardens $ 10.00 Holiday Crafts Magazine Nov/Dec 2003 $ 2.00 A New Day Magazine A Magazine for Activity Professionals Any Month 1999-2003 $ 2.00 per issue Creative Forecasting Magazine A Magazine for Activity Professionals Any Month 1991-2004 $2.00 per issue Reminisce Magazine Any Month 2000-2002 $ 2.00 per issue American Greeting CreataCard Gold A three C.D. set for use on your computer to make cards, banners, Calendars, certificates, gift tags, posters, etc. By American Greetings $ 10.00

Hi stelymun19, I recently moved to Phoenix,Arizona( in Oct.) and I really love it here. I have been doing activities since 1985 and I truly LOVE MY JOB! I wont lie, I too some times feel like I am burned out but then one one my residents says that she loves me and would not know what to do without me and that makes this job the greatest job in the world! :-D I do agree with Kim and Pennie that you need to take time out for YOURSELF! Find a hobby, take a craft class,go to the library,take a walk, just do one thing a day just for you... believe me,I have five children, a husband,a new puppy and 100 residents to take care of by myself every day, You need to take TIME FOR YOURSELF, or you will go crazy :-o Have fun and enjoy life! Gina :-)

Hi Millman, If you go to the home page of this site there are some great links to Activity Sites. Also, you can visit one of my sites, as I have plenty of wonderful resources on my home page of Activity Ideas that work and on my links page of Activity Chat. Check them out, they should help!! http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ActivityChat/links http://pages.ivillage.com/ginasalazar2004/ Have fun! Gina :-D

Hi ALL :-D Just reminding everyone about our first (organized)CHAT NIGHT! To chat ,go to the home page and where the shout box is there is a spot that says enter chat room, click that and you will be there.WE ARE NOT CHATING IN THE SHOUT BOX! It takes too long to see replies and its easy to go into the chat room. I hope to talk to ya all tonight! Have fun! Gina :-)

How I Love You is said around the world: Bulgarian -Obicham te Burmese -chit pa de Cambodian- Bon sro lanh oon Cambodian- kh_nhaum soro_lahn nhee_ah Canadian -French Sh'teme Cantonese- Moi oiy neya Cantonese- Ngo oi ney Croatian -LJUBim te Danish- Jeg elsker dig Dutch- Ik hou van jou Dutch -Ik ben verliefd op je Filipino -Mahal ka ta Filipino -Iniibig Kita Finnish- Mina" rakastan sinua French -Je t'aime French -Je t'adore Gaelic -Ta gra agam ort German -Ich liebe Dich Greek- s'ayapo Greek -(old) (Ego) philo su Hungarian -Szeretlek[/color] Hungarian- Szeretlek te'ged Indonesian- Saya cinta padamu Indonesian- Saya cinta kamu Indonesian -Saya kasih saudari Iranian -Mahn doostaht doh-rahm Irish- taim i' ngra leat Italian- ti amo Italian- ti voglio bene Japanese- Kimi o ai shiteru Japanese- Aishiteru Japanese -Chuu shiteyo Japanese- Ora omee no koto ga suki da Japanese- Ore wa omae ga suki da Japanese- Suitonnen Japanese-- Sukiyanen Japanese -Sukiyo Japanese- Watashi Wa Anata Ga Suki Desu Japanese- Watashi Wa Anata Wo Aishithe Imasu Japanese- Watakushi-wa anata-wo ai shimasu Japanese- Suki desu Romanian- Te iu besc Romanian- Te Ador Russian- Ya vas liubliu Russian -Ya tebya liubliu Russian -Ya polubeel s'tebya Russian- Ya Tibieh Lublue Scot Gaelic- Tha gra\dh agam ort Serbian- ljubim te Spanish -Te quiero Spanish -Te amo Swedish- Jag a"lskar dig Swiss-German -Ch'ha di ga"rn Thai -Khao Raak Thoe Thai- Phom Rak Khun Vietnamese -Em ye^u anh Vietnamese- Toi yeu em Vietnamese- Anh ye^u em Welsh- 'Rwy'n dy garu di. Welsh -Yr wyf i yn dy garu di (chwi) Yiddish -Ich libe dich Yiddish -Ich han dich lib Yiddish -Ikh Hob Dikh Lib Yugoslavian- Ya te volim

Hi All, We are having a CHAT NIGHT tonight at 6:00 in the Chat room. Our first topic of the night will be February activity planning ideas. Please come and join us!!! Hope to see ya there...... Gina

Hey All :hammer: For those of you that work in Assisted Living or Independent Living, February is a great month to start a Red Hat Society in your facility !!! I have one in mine and we have the best time with it,once a month we go out to lunch in our full RED HAT garb, my ladies love it!! Our name is the Red Hot Grandmas. There is an upcoming convention in Las Vegas, Nevada that I am trying to get approval from my administrator to take the ladies out to for one night. The link is : http://www.redhatsociety.com/events/convention2005/nevada/ The link to the Red Hats is: http://www.redhatsociety.com/ If you have the chance to start a Red Hat Society in your facility try it out,its so much fun! Have fun! Gina :-P

Hi All, Here is a really pretty and inexpensive gift idea/table topper for Valentines Day.... Champange Glass with Candy Hearts: What you need: 1 plastic champange glass for each guest Red ribbon Candy Chocolate Hearts in red foil This idea is so easy and looks really pretty on top of the tables for a Valentines Party. All you do is wrap the ribbon around the champange glass and then tie a bow and then fill with chocolate hearts.Set on the tables and use for the Valentines toast at the party. Have fun! Gina

Hi Doedoe, Well first off I would like to say that I hope that I am never at the facility where you work because honestly, you sound like you are totally overworked!! :-o As far as Activity Directors "getting off their butts and getting the residents ourselves", doesn't it make it easier for the aides if you just drop the residents off at the activity then you can do other duties instead of helping them.Also,I found your whole post itself to be very rude and offensive.I have never done your job, but in turn, you have never done our jobs and have NO CLUE how much time and preparation goes into to planning and implementing a recreation program and how much time we spend at home and otherwise that we DO NOT GET COMPENSATED FOR!!!! I totally understand that this business takes its toll on ALL the staff, but for you to say that we are all overpaid and essentally lazy is just WRONG. :-( Try to have a good day. Gina :-)

Hi Kelly! Well, Welcome to the wonderful world of the Activity Director! I have been doing this for almost 20 years now and have felt your frustration many times over. :-? There is really nothing I can tell you except that this is a big part of the job that we all dispise( the looooonnnngggggg hours)!! I too have children(five ) and a husband that I feel gulity about spending so much time away from, but I also feel bad when my residents have nothing to do when I am away. :-( It is a catch 22 situation, but I would really speak to your Administrator about your time off and explain how frustrated you are becoming, and maybe you need to find a place that "FITS" you better.I know that I have had a lots of Activity Director jobs before I found one that fits me. Just know that you are NOT the only one that feels this way!!I am sure that there will be more posts for you on this topic!!! Just relax and try to have fun!! Gina

Mardi Gras Fun Make Masks for your residents to wear, you can make them very fancy with simple stuff like beads, feathers, glitter, sequins, etc. Give each resident a plain cardboard mask that you can make or purchase and have them decorate them. Make Mardi Gras Floats : Give each resident a cardboard shoe box and lots of goodies to Decorate them with. Have your residents bring their floats to the Mardi Gras party and have the Administrator pick the Best Float .Give Mardi Gras Beads as prizes. At the party play “Pass the baby”.The baby doll represents the traditional baby that is put in the center of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Kingcakes. All the residents pass a doll around to Mardi Gras music (like the hot potato game) and who-ever has the baby when the music stops wins. Serve Non Alcoholic Bloody Marys, Hurricanes and Mint Juleps. For appetizers serve shrimps or crab cakes For Mardi Gras Trivia : http://mardigrasunmasked.com/mardigrastrivia/ Have Fun! Gina :-D

Hi Havenofrest, Stacey had some great ideas to share! For Alaska, How about serving snow- cones(or shaved ice). Have a Spelling contest,write ALASKA on a white board and see how many words they can get from the word. Then fill up a small plastic wading pool with ice cubes and water and then put small plastic ziplock baggies with small prizes( from the 99 cents store) in the water,then get some wooden dowels and make up some "fishing poles" and have your residents try to "Ice Fish" for the prizes. You could also dress the residents and staff up like eskimoes,have them all come to the party dressed in their best Eskimo garb, Give best Dressed prizes. You could also have a bobsled contest, make up a board with squares and a start and finish line and have residents roll the dice and move their sleds( make them up out of paper) and whoever gets to the finish line first wins. Have fun! Gina

:-D Hi All, I am wondering if anyone knows if the new regs. are state wide or just for Illinois. Here is what I could find about what would concern us Directors working in Dementia units if this is a new state wide regulation. Section 300.7030 Ability-Centered Care a) Ability-centered care programming, also called activity-focused programming, recognizes the resident's abilities and competencies in care planning. Tasks are adapted and modified to provide for the resident's involvement at the maximum level of the resident's ability. Ability-centered care programming embraces the following concepts: activities are every event, encounter, and exchange with a staff member, volunteer, relative, or other individuals; activities are redefined as traditional (i.e., work related, recreational) and nontraditional (i.e., bathing, eating, walking); both independent and structured events are used. Flexibility is allowed in traditional staff roles and staff are encouraged to develop relationships with residents. The use of staff in nontradictional roles shall be documented in the unit's policies and procedures. Non-licensed staff who are not certified nursing assistants shall not provide nursing or personal care but are limited to assisting with activities of daily living and providing verbal cueing, for which the staff have been trained. c) Unit directors and activity professionals for units established before January 1, 2005 shall participate in ability-centered care training before July 1, 2005. Unit directors and activity professionals for units established after January 1, 2005 shall have had course work in ability-centered care programming. d) The unit shall use a distinct approach to resident care that is designed for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The use of ability-centered care is recommended. If the facility uses an alternative approach, this approach shall be reviewed by the Department to determine if the care goals of the ability-centered care have been satisfied. Alternative methodologies shall not be implemented until the Department has approved them. e) Dining and mealtime approaches shall address the special needs of individuals with dementia. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________) Section 300.7040 Activities ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT a) The unit's activity program shall use ability-centered care programming. Families shall have access to activity supplies and materials and shall be welcome and encouraged to participate. c) Units with a census of more than 40 residents shall have a full-time activity professional who meets the requirements of Section 300.1410©. Units with a census of 40 or fewer residents shall have an activity professional on duty at least 20 hours per week. This individual shall be responsible for providing activities and training staff in an ability-centered programming approach. d) Activity programming shall be planned and provided throughout the day and evening, at least 7 days a week for an average of 8 hours per day. e) Activities shall be adapted, as needed, to provide for maximum participation by individual residents. If a particular resident does not participate in at least an average of 4 activities per day over a one-week period, the unit director shall evaluate the resident's participation and have the available activities modified and/or consult with the interdisciplinary team. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________) Section 300.7050 Staffing a) The unit shall have a full-time unit director. 1) The director may have other responsibilities, within the unit, in units with fewer than 40 residents. 2) The unit director may support off-unit activities related to persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, such as providing training to facility staff, assessment of potential residents, counseling to potential residents and their families, and consultation/assessment/care planning for facility residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia who do not reside on the unit. 3) The unit director shall have documented course work in dementia care and ability-centered care, and shall meet at least one of the following requirements: ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT A) Have an associate's or a bachelor's degree and/or be a registered nurse and have at least one year of experience working with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; or Have a minimum of 5 years of experience working with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, at least two years of which are management experience working with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. 4) The unit director shall obtain at least 12 hours of continuing education every year, especially related to serving residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. The unit shall have assigned, consistent staff. There shall be enough staff to meet the scheduled and unscheduled needs of each resident, as defined in the care plan, taking into account the purpose of the setting, the severity of dementia, and the resident's physical abilities, behavior patterns, and social and medical needs. c) All staff who ever work on the unit (e.g., nurses, CNAs, housekeepers, social services and activities staff, and food service staff) shall receive at least four hours of dementia-specific orientation within the first 7 days of working on the unit. This orientation shall include: 1) Basic information about the nature, progression, and management of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; 2) Techniques for creating an environment that minimizes challenging behavior from residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; 3) Methods of identifying and minimizing safety risks to residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; and 4) Techniques for successful communication with individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. d) Nurses, CNAs, and social service and activities staff who work on the unit at least 50 percent of the time that they work at the facility shall participate in a minimum of 12 additional hours of orientation within the first 45 days after employment, specifically related to the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. This orientation shall be defined in facility policies and procedures; ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT shall be in a form of classroom, return demonstration, and mentoring; and shall define to new staff the elements contained in Section 300.7050(e)(1)-(10). e) Nurses, CNAs, and social services and activities staff who work on the unit at least 50 percent of the time that they work at the facility shall attend at least 12 hours of continuing education every year, specifically related to serving residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. (Completion of the 12 hours of orientation in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section may be counted as continuing education for the year in which this orientation is completed.) Topics shall include, but not be limited to: 1) Promoting the philosophy of an ability-centered care framework; 2) Promoting resident dignity, independence, individuality, privacy and choice; 3) Resident rights and principles of self-determination; 4) Medical and social needs of residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; 5) Assessing resident capabilities and developing and implementing services plans; 6) Planning and facilitating activities appropriate for a resident with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia; 7) Communicating with families and others interested in the resident; 8) Care of elderly persons with physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social disabilities; 9) Common psychotropics and their side effects; and 10) Local community resources. f) Within 6 months after January 1, 2005, or within 6 months after hire, the facility administrator and director of nursing shall attend the orientation for staff who work on the unit at least 50 percent of the time in accordance with subsection (d). ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT g) For each training requirement in this Section, staff shall be evaluated to determine if they have met or exceeded stated learning objectives. Results shall be documented. h) Training requirements of this Section are in addition to requirements for nurse aide training. Orientation requirements of this Section are in addition to regular staff orientation. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________) Section 300.7060 Environment a) The environment (cultural, social, and physical) shall support the functioning of cognitively impaired residents. It shall accommodate behaviors, maximize functional abilities, promote safety, and encourage residents' independence by compensating for losses resulting from the disease process in accordance with each resident's care plan. The unit shall use a variety of sensory cues to differentiate rooms, spaces, and uses. c) The unit shall be designed and maintained to ensure an appropriate range of environmental and sensory stimulation and information; e.g., using minimally distracting security, pager and safety systems. d) Visual supervision of indoor and outdoor activity areas shall be provided, supported by architectural design. Staff shall be present in activity areas when residents are in these areas. e) Resident rooms shall not contain more than two beds. Rooms containing more than 2 beds within units established prior to January 1, 2005 may retain more than 2 beds. f) A secure out-of-doors space shall be provided in units established after January 1, 2005 and, whenever possible, in units established before January 1, 2005. If a secure out-of-doors space is not available, the facility shall implement a plan to provide residents with the opportunity for daily, routine outdoor activities, weather permitting. ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT g) Social space appropriate to the needs of the individual with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia shall be provided. Social space is any space that is independently accessible to the resident, except for the resident's bedroom, the bathroom, or shower/bathrooms or hallways. Social space includes, but is not limited to, dining room, living room, family visitation areas, unit kitchen, and activity areas. h) In facilities establishing a unit after January 1, 2005, this social space shall equal at least 40 square feet per resident bed. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________) Section 300.7070 Quality Assessment and Improvement The unit shall have a written plan that is part of the facility's overall quality assurance plan to assess residents' quality of care, quality of life, and overall well-being. a) The licensee shall develop and implement a quality assessment and improvement program designed to meet at least the following goals: 1) Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the quality of care and service provided at the facility, including, but not limited to: A) Admission of residents who are appropriate to the capabilities of the facility; Resident assessment; C) Development and implementation of appropriate individualized, ability-centered treatment plans; D) Resident satisfaction; E) Infection control; F) Appropriate numbers of staff; and G) Staff turnover. 2) Identification and analysis of problems. ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT 3) Identification and implementation of corrective action or changes in response to problems. The program shall operate pursuant to a written plan that shall include, but not be limited to: 1) A detailed statement of how problems will be identified, including procedures to elicit insights from residents, residents' families, and residents' representatives; 2) The methodology and criteria that will be used to formulate action plans to address problems, which shall include the insights of residents, residents' families, and residents' representatives; 3) Procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of action plans and revising action plans to prevent reoccurrence of problems; 4) Procedures for documenting the activities of the program; and 5) Identifying the persons responsible for administering the program. c) A copy of the plan shall be provided to residents, residents' families, or residents' representatives. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________) Section 300.7080 Variances to Enhance Residents' Quality of Life a) The Department will consider requests for variances from this Part where the variance will enhance the residents' quality of life. The variance shall be requested in writing and shall contain the following information: 1) Facility contact person; 2) The specific Section of this Part from which the applicant is requesting a variance; 3) The proposed alternative plan, service, or approach to meet the needs of the residents; ILLINOIS REGISTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE OF ADOPTED AMENDMENT 4) The benefit to the residents if the variance is approved; and 5) The facility plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the variance in meeting the residents' needs, including eliciting insights from residents, residents' families, and residents' representatives. The facility shall not implement the variance prior to receiving written approval from the Department. c) The Department will advise the facility in writing if the variance is approved, denied or approved with conditions or limitations within 90 days after receipt of the request. The Department's decision to approve, deny, or approve the variance with conditions or limitations shall be based on whether the proposed alternative provides an equivalent level of care and safety to the residents. d) Variances will not be granted for statutory requirements. (Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg. ______, effective ____________)

HEE HAA LINDA, Them 'Der Terms Are Down Right Humorous....Hah,Hah,Hah!!! I LOVE UM !!! Have Fun.Gina

:-D Hi All, Here is a great game to play with your residents... First make 2-4 teams. Then give each team a pair of pantyhose and one/two balloons to each person on the team.Each team should have eight balloons. When you say "go", the teams will try to make reindeer antlers by blowing up the balloons and then stuffing them into the pantyhose. Then one team member wears the "antlers" and sings the first verse of "Rudolph, the red nose reindeer". The first one to do this wins for their team. Give small stuffed animal reindeers for the winning team( go to the 99 cent store). This game is so much fun, we played it with our staff and residents, everyone had a great laugh!! Have fun! Gina ;-)

:hammer: Hi Cheryl, The best way to find an Activity Director course near you is to contact your local colleges, they usually have the gereontology courses that you need( Activity Director 1). I would also recommend taking the Certified Alzheimers Pracitioner course that is offered though :http://nccdp.org/index.htm. Go to the web site and see when it will be offered in your area. I have taken the course and it was well worth the money :-) ( it's a bit pricey). Good luck to you and in taking care of your father, I went through the same thing taking care of my Grandmother and working as an Activity Director and its a LOT of work :-? . Take care. Gina ;-)

Hi Freontca :-) , Well,in answer to your question, I have also worked as an activity director in a city parks and recreation setting,with children.I didn't much like it, but if I had to I could go back to doing that. Some other ideas: Daycare Activity Director ,Social Services Director,Cruise Ship Activity Director, Apartment Activity Director( this position is becoming more popular!) and I am sure there are other jobs out there.... Have fun! Gina ;-)

:hammer: Hi Linda , Thanks so much for the cute story!!! You have contributed so many great and informative items and information, I know I appreciate it!!! 8-) Thanks again! Have fun! Gina ;-)

Hi Princess, I looked in my files today and I found this one. I think its what u want.. Come Visit You say that you can't do anything. Can you read? Good. Read to me. My eyes aren't what they used to be. Can you write? Good. Write a letter or card for me. My hands are shaky. Can you sing? Good. Help me with the words and I'll sing along. Can you tell me about your job? I was a nurse once, myself. Can you listen? Wonderful! I'm starved for conversation. Can you make a sponge cake or zucchini bread or angel biscuits or fudge? They aren't on the nursing home menu, but I remember how good they were and I would love to taste them again. Do you play checkers or dominoes or rummy? Fine, so do I. But there is never anyone who has the time. They are understaffed around here, you know. Do you play the violin or the flute or the piano? My hearing is poor, but I can hear any kind of music. Even if I fall asleep, you'll know I enjoyed it. Once we were somebody, just like you. We were farmers, and farmer's wives, teachers, nurses, beauticians, stockbrokers, electricians, bankers and sheriffs, and maybe a few outlaws, too. We're not all senile - just old and needing more attention than our families can give us. This home, whatever its name, is "home" to us, and you're an invited guest. Please come. The welcome mat is always out - not just on Thanksgiving. I hope you keep this and read it again in January, February, and every other month of the year. We'll still be here and our needs will be the same.

Hi Vistor! Welcome to the site! It doesnt really matter if u are an A.D., caregiver or what ever, we all know the reality of cost cutting and staff shortages, but I would NOT go to the owner after you already spoke to the administrator.I do know from experience this usually backfires!!!It did for me,I wont go into the details but I had a very major problem with my residents and certain staff and the administrator would not do anything to remedy the situation so I went to the owner and the next day I was FIRED( the only job,that I have ever been fired from :-( , and I really LOVED the facility!! :cry: ). My advice is just be patient and see what your administrator will do,otherwise be prepared to stand in the unemployment line(maybe..... :-? ) Have fun! gina ;-)

Hi All, I saw this on my MSN home page and thought it was cute to share with my residents. You might like it too.... The Cost of A Partridge in a Pear Tree: One Partridge in a Pear Tree $93 Partridge 15.00 Pear Tree 78.00 Two Turtle Doves 40.00 Three French Hens 45.00 Four Calling Birds 396.00 Five Gold Rings 255.00 Six Geese-a-Laying 210.00 Seven Swans-a-Swimming 3,500.00 Eight Maids-a-Milking 41.20 Nine Ladies Dancing 4,400.13 10 Lords-a-Leaping 4,039.08 11 Pipers Piping 2,053.20 12 Drummers Drumming 2,224.30 Total Christmas Price Index 17,296.91 True cost of Christmas in song 66,334.46 Source: PNC Advisors Outsourcing keeps unskilled maids cheap The holiday survey is used as a tongue-in-cheek indicator of inflation. And this year's increase in the Christmas Index is near to the rise in the government's measurement. PNC's Christmas Price Index is up 2.4% from 2003 and up nearly 37% from 1984. The government's Consumer Price Index for October was up 3.2% from thee same month in 2003. For the Christmas inflation gauge, the higher cost of fuel is reflected in the delivery costs of the pear tree, while the trend of outsourcing is seen with the price of eight maids-a-milking. "The Christmas Price Index reflects the changing economic mix in the U.S. away from manufacturing to a more service based economy," Jeff Kleintop, chief investment strategist for PNC Advisors, said in a statement. "The abundance of cheaper labor in countries such as India and China has resulted in pressure on U.S. manufacturers to outsource unskilled labor. As a result the cost of skilled dancers has steadily increased, while the unskilled milkmaids haven't managed an increase in pay for their services in many years." Swans stable, French hens higher Last year, swans were the big mover of the index, jumping more than 66% in price. This year, seven swans-a-swimming stayed steady. The active fowl were the three French hens, up 200% to $45, and the six geese-a-laying, up 40% to $210. That could be "due to fewer hatchlings during this breeding cycle creating an imbalance in the supply-demand chain," PNC said. A surprise for those that watch the commodity market would be the drop 29.4% drop in the price of the five gold rings. Gold is at an all-time high, but the price of the rings dropped to $255 from $361.25 the year before because of a significant drop in demand for plain gold bands in the United States. This year, the price of 12 drummers rose 3.6% to $2,224.30, while the price of 11 pipers also jumped 3.6%, to $2,053.20. Leaping lords, in this case the Philadelphia Ballet, rose 3% to 4,039.08, and the price of ladies dancing -- taken from the price charged by a modern dance troupe -- rose 4% to $4,400.13. PNC also checks the cost of Christmas on the Internet, which is significantly higher. The Christmas Internet Index rose 10.5% to $27,736.50 primarily because of shipping costs, up due to rising fuel prices, PNC said. But maybe your true love would just rather have the cash.

Hi All, Just wondering if anyone is thinking about plans for National Activity Professional Week? National Activity Professional's Week is January 23-28, 2005. The theme is a Historic Past and a Promising Future. I would love to hear what everyone is doin'..... Have fun! Gina ;-)

Pat !!!!! I have been emailing you but I dont know if u have been getting them,cause i havent heard from ya.... :-( email me,please. crazee_g2004@yahoo.com :-P