gina

Hi All, We are having a "Hot Dog Eatting Contest" this month,sounds fun huh! I cant wait to see who all joins and who will win.....lol! :-D I'll let ya know. Have fun! gina

Hello Chris ! We had this topic on a while back on the "Open Disscussion"board. At my facility we have a feeder training program for all new hires and volunteers,that way everyone is covered when state pops in and we always have coverage in that area. As for Hydration,I have been doing a Drink Cart for about 10 years now, its a great way to get the residents hydrated everyday!! :pint: Below are some great drinks for the summer. Have fun! :-D ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summer Sangria Punch : 3/4 cup Country time Lemonade flavor drink mix 1 quart(4 cups)cold cranberry juice cocktail 1 cup cold orange juice 1 tablespoon lime juice 3 cups cold club soda 2 sliced oranges 2 sliced limes Stir the drink mix and juices together and then add then club soda and fruit slices.Serve over ice cubes in a tall glass. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peachy Iced Tea Refresher: 1 tub Crystal Light Peach Flavored Ice Tea mix 4 1/2 cups cold water 1 cup cold orange juice 1 sliced orange Mint sprigs Mix all together and serve over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with mint sprigs. Raspberry Cape Breeze: 1 tub Crystal Light Rasberry Ice mix 2 cups Orange Juice 3 1/2 cups Water Mix all together,serve over ice and garnish with rasberries. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sparkling Fruit Cooler: 1 tub Crystal Light Pink Lemonade mix 2 cups Pineapple juice 1 1/2 cups White Grape Juice 2 cups Water 1 sliced Lemon Mix together and serve over ice.

Hi All, Check out these great sites for Fourth of July.... (You have to type them into your brouser box because the links will not work) http://www.symbolicproductions.com/America/flash/flash.html- A beautiful video of America the beautiful http://www.brownielocks.com/godblessamericaWAVE.html- God Bless america by Celine Dion http://www.brownielocks.com/4thofJuly.html- Have Fun! gina :-D

Hi All, National Hot Dog month is in July. Here are some fun facts……. The world’s biggest hot dog was 1,996 feet long, created by Sara Lee Corp. in honor of the 1996 Olympics. A 1,983 foot hot dog was made in May 1983 by Bill-Mar Foods of Zeeland, Wis. A 2,377-foot chicken dog was made in 1985 by Maple Lodge Farms in Norval, Canada. In 1978, David Berg of Chicago made a six-foot, 681-pound beef hot dog in a 100-pound poppy seed bun covered with two gallons of mustard. The most popular hot dog topping among adults is mustard (87.6%). Among children, it is ketchup. Marlene Dietrich said that her favorite meal was hot dogs & champagne. Babe Ruth once ate 12 hot dogs & 8 bottles of soda between games of a double header. He was reportedly rushed to the hospital after the game with a severe case of indigestion. Al Capone’s favourite food was Nathan’s Coney Island hot dogs, as was Cary Grant’s. The average hot dog is consumed in 6.1 bites. On July 4, 1916 four Irish immigrants held a hot dog eating contest to decide which of them was the most patriotic. The winner, James Mullen, at 13 dogs & buns in 12 minutes. The 2001 world record for hot dog eating is 50 wieners with buns in 12 minutes The Canadian champ, Chris Eyres of New Westminster, BC, ate 18 in 12 minutes in 2001. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport sells more than 2 million hot dogs a year. Baseball fans will enjoy "in the ballpark" of 26.8 million hot dogs at US baseball stadiums this season. That's enough to circle the bases 36,000 times. More hot dogs will be eaten at Jacob's Field, home of the Cleveland Indians - 1.8 million in 2001 - than in any other ballpark. President Franklin Roosevelt served King George VI of England hot dogs & beer during a White House visit in 1939. Mrs. Jimmy Carter served hot dogs at a White House picnic in 1977. Queen Elizabeth II served hot dogs at a royal banquet held for the American Bar Association. Americans consumed 20 billion hot dogs in 2000. The 7 billion eaten just during the summer months are enough to stretch from Chicago (the hot dog capital of the universe) to Frankfurt, Germany (where it all began) 125 times. Weight Watchers includes hot dogs in its medically-approved diet regimen. NASA has approved hot dogs as a regular item on Apollo moon flights, Skylab missions & space shuttle flights. In Hot Dog Jonny's first year of operation, our customers drank 5.8 million ml. of drinks, ate 9,000 bags of chips & enjoyed over 23,000 hot dogs & sausages. They covered those dogs with 800 liters of condiments, 600 pounds of chili, 400 pounds of cheese & 500 pounds of onions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hot Dogs in Different Languages Spanish Hot Dog - Perrito Caliente Italian Hot Dog - Caldo cane French Hot Dog - Chien chaud German Hot Dog - Heisser Hund or Wurst PortugeseHot Dog - Cachorro quente Swedish Hot Dog - Korv or varmkorv Norwegian/Danish Hot Dog - Grillpolser Czech Hot Dog - Park v rohliku Dutch Hot Dog - Worstjes Finnish Hot Dog - Makkarat ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Have Fun! gina :-P

:idea: Hi All, I was just at Wal-Mart at my lunch break :-P and found a four foot high fake fish aquarium for $38.00!It has fake fish and bubbles and a light inside the tank,its long and skinny and doesn't take up much room.I am trying to build a Snoezelen Room(although I am calling it a Sensory Enrichment Center) and thought this would be great for it.They also had some tranquility C.D.s for $4.00. If any of you have a Snoezelen room,go check it at out at your local Wal-Mart. Have fun! gina :-D

:hammer: Hi Chris, You asked if anyone has ever used the community for fundraising/budget help.... I know that I have used Big Lots and Target in my community.They are great at Christmas time for donating items for my residents christmas gifts.Also See's Candy will donate boxes of candies also at Christmas.Salvation Army too at Christmas time.All of these place will require a letterhead from your facility and your business card. Also, a lot of small companies will donate items if you advertise their shop in your newsletter. Hollywood video and some Blockbusters will give you a free membership and free movies(the older releases). Some printing companies will print your calendars and newsletters for free or discounted if you just ask them and tell them who you are and where you work. Just go out and hustle/network :-P with the businesses in your community,you'll be suprised at the results,there are some great people out there!! Have fun!!gina :-D

Hi Laree, Wow! What a pickle you are in !! lol! $43.00 for a month after your calendar! Have you tried talking to the printer where you get your calendars printed,maybe if you tell them they can advertise for free in your newsletter,they will do it for free,or at least give you a better discount than what they are charging you now. Beg them,tell them your situation,it actually worked for me at my last facility I worked for.I know its so hard when you have no money to work with,been there,done that.Maybe some of the other ladies or gents have some ideas too.... Have fun ! gina :-)

:idea: Hi Linda, :idea: Your one woman show sounds fun! I know that If you were to approach me with this idea I would hire you for a try at my facility! You should make up a video of one of your shows(just a sample of the show) and start with all the Activity Directors in your area,send out fliers about your show and your price range and maybe in the begining offer Directors a sample, shorter verson of your show(?)for free and when you do that word will get around and you'll have a hit !!!! Keep us updated on your progress and if you are ever in Calif.or soon Arizona look me up !! Have fun!!! :-P P.S.- If you would like to promote your show on my web sites let me know- e-mail me :crazee_g@activitydirector.com.

:hammer: Hi All, I've added a Free Links page to my website if you would like to check it out. I found lots of cool stuff for you to use or for your residents. Go to: http://pages.ivillage.com/ginasalazar2004/id30.html Have fun! gina :-D

Hi Chris, Thanks for sharing your views on Hippa regs. I do have a question for you. I am going from 19 years in long term care experience to a large retirement community and all the residents are private pay(no insurance)only. In your opinion do any Hippa rules apply here in this situation? Thanks,gina :-D

:hammer: Uncle Sam Pin Pin on a patriotic face that's sure to stand out in any Fourth of July crowd. WHAT YOU NEED • White craft foam • Scissors • Markers • Wooden craft spoon • Googly eyes • Cotton balls • Glue • Self-adhesive pinback Time needed: Under 1 Hour Step 1: To make one, cut out a basic Uncle Sam style hat (about 2 inches tall and 1 inch wide) from white craft foam. Step 2: Use markers to color the brim blue and to draw red stripes on the top. Step 3: Glue the hat to the handle of a wooden craft spoon (if necessary, first use scissors to trim the wooden handle so that it's shorter than the hat). Step 4: Glue on googly eyes and a cotton ball beard, then draw on a small L- shaped nose. Step 5: Attach a self-adhesive pinback (sold at many craft and bead stores), and your Uncle Sam pin is ready to wear. Have fun !! gina :-D

Hi Steve, What is your therapy and what does it do? I have been in this field for 20 years and have never heard of laughter therapy but I do know how laughter helps people in general,feel better. Please give me some info. on this. Thanks!! Have fun!!!gina

Hi Everyone ! With Summer fast approaching,so comes the HEAT !!! Everyday in the Summer I pass out cool refreshing drinks for my residents so that they can stay hydrated. I wanted to share some yummy recipes for cool drinks to put on a cart and pass out to your residents.... Don't forget your Alzheimers Residents, as they are more likely to forget to drink and in turn become dehydrated. Have Fun !!!!gina :pint: Summer Sangria Punch : 3/4 cup Country time Lemonade flavor drink mix 1 quart(4 cups)cold cranberry juice cocktail 1 cup cold orange juice 1 tablespoon lime juice 3 cups cold club soda 2 sliced oranges 2 sliced limes Stir the drink mix and juices together and then add then club soda and fruit slices.Serve over ice cubes in a tall glass. Peachy Iced Tea Refresher: 1 tub Crystal Light Peach Flavored Ice Tea mix 4 1/2 cups cold water 1 cup cold orange juice 1 sliced orange Mint sprigs Mix all together and serve over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with mint sprigs. Raspberry Cape Breeze: 1 tub Crystal Light Rasberry Ice mix 2 cups Orange Juice 3 1/2 cups Water Mix all together,serve over ice and garnish with rasberries. Sparkling Fruit Cooler: 1 tub Crystal Light Pink Lemonade mix 2 cups Pineapple juice 1 1/2 cups White Grape Juice 2 cups Water 1 sliced Lemon Mix together and serve over ice.

Hi Raw42, Go to: http://www.njactivitypros.org/index.htm Then you can look for local associations in your area and call one to find out where and when the next class is. Good luck. Have fun !! gina :-D

Hi All, I found these colorful wind twirlers on the Family Fun website and thought they would be great to make with my residents for the fourth of July,I made a sample one and it looks pretty cool. Have Fun ! gina Fourth of July Twirlers: One way to show your patriotic colors is to hang an array of these red, white and blue twirlers from a window frame, tree, or front porch. WHAT YOU NEED • Plastic coffee can lids • Marker • Scissors • String Time needed: Under 1 Hour Step 1: To make one, use a nail to poke a hole in the center of a plastic coffee can lid. Step 2: With a marker, draw a spiral that starts 3/8 inch from the hole and gradually extends to the rim, then cut along the line with scissors. Step 3: Knot an end of a piece of string, thread the other end up through the hole in the center, and the twirler is ready to hang up and spin. Tips: To spin, grasp each one at the bottom, twirl it around and around until the string is wound tight, let go and enjoy the show.

Hi Nisice, I worked in a rehab/skilled nursing facility and I had residents from age 20-100 so I do know the demands of that type of facility(It was one of the hardest places I've ever worked,the paperwork alone killed me) It is extremly hard to get the young ones out of their rooms after the demands of their therapy sessions and the older ones dont always like to hang out with the "kids". We used to have a strolling guitar player twice a week that would go room to room and sing each resident a song( it was a hit !)We also had "Rolling Sundaes",we would get all the fixings and go room to room and offer sundaes to the residents and chat while making them.We also had Karaoke every Friday afternoon in the main dining room and would give prizes(Candybars,Sodas,Bags of Chips Muffins,etc)for the top ten contestants. We also had a group of kids come in once a week and play board games(yatzee,bingo,cards,scrabble)with the residents in their rooms. On Saturday Night we had a Texas Hold-um Poker Tournament with Rootbeer and Popcorn(that was lots of fun) I say,If the residents cant (or wont) come to you,you go to them !!! I hope this helps a little. Have fun! gina

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows about Certification in Arizona. I am in California and have had a certificate from Ca.since 1984 and have been working in this field since as an Activity Director but we are thinking of moving out of Ca.to Arizona and beside NCCAP certification I am wondering how/if you need to be certified through the state of Arizona(or how it works there). And if anyone is in Arizonia,how is the job market there? Thank so much !!! Gina

Hi Everyone , I found these Father's Day Sites on the net, they have some fun and interesting trivia,games,recipes,etc. Check it out. http://www.holidays.net/father http://www.alphabet-soup.net/fath/father.html http://hometown.aol.com/funology1/fathers.htm http://familycrafts.about.com/od/fathersdaycrafts/ Have Fun!gina

Hi Pat!! I keep missing u in the chat room :-( It's funny you ask that question because at my facility I am the Activity Director but the lady before me was called the Social Service Director. When I applied for the job I thought I would be doing the same type of job that I had in the past at other LTC facilities as a Social Service Director(discharge planning,Dr/Dentist appts.,etc.)But they were looking for an Activity Director(yeah!!!)and I told her that I hold both certificates,A.D and Social service cert. and got the job.But I told them that I would like to be called Activity Director,not Social Service Director, and thats my title now. I think that a Social Service Director in a homeowners association is going to be like an Activity Director Job(planning acts,outtings,etc.)and I think with your experience you would be GREAT!!!! :-D Go for it !!!!!! Gina P.S.- I need your new email address,I tried Pat 8231@yahoo and it came back.let me know.

:idea: Hi Everyone, I was wondering how many people have heard of Snoezelen Rooms? Does anyone have one in their facility? If so, what do you have in your room ? I have been reading alot on this therapy for Alzheimers patients and would like to hear some feedback on your experience with it. Thanks. Gina :-P

Hi Karen, I usually ask: 1) Why do you want to work in the activity dept.? 2) Can you work weekends and nights? :-o 3) What are your strengths / weakness'? 4) What do you enjoy about working with seniors? :roll: 5) Do you consider yourself a team-player? 6) Give me an example of Residents Rights? 7) What would you do to a resident that is yelling and disturbing the group activity? 8) Do you consider yourself silly or serious? Why? :-P These few questions can really tell you alot about your prospective employee. Hope they help. Have Fun! gina :-)

Hi Karen, I have an orientation sheet that I will try to download on the site later today. gina :-D

We can do it earlier.... let me know. gina

~Fathers Day Plans~ :hammer: What are everyones plans for Father's Day? We are hosting a Father's Day Family Barbeque. We are going to have bbq ribs,hot dogs,burgers,corn on the cob,salad, watermelon and homemade ice cream. We are also going to play tug o' war,sack races,do face painting,a Karaoke contest and have a water ballon toss. We are expecting a pretty big turn-out,so it should be fun!!!! :-) gina

Memorial Day~ Flag Day~ Fourth of July~ With all the patriotic holidays upcoming here is an easy,colorful treat to share with your residents or make with them for cooking class. ~Red,White and Blue Fruit Salad Treat~ Toss in fresh lime juice and garnish with mint,a combination of juicy strawberries,diced apples and fresh blueberries.Mix well and spoon over vanilla ice cream or pound cake. Enjoy ! :-) gina