Diana

Here is a fun idea I had one day, a few years back. I don't do this as often as I'd like, because it is slightly time consuming with set up/ clean up, but not too bad when I have help. Everyone has heard of making a loaf of bread with the bread machine, but what about actually KNEADING a loaf of dough or rolling and spreading tortillas?!? Since I live in San Antonio, of course, we do tortillas. The conversations that come from this activity is great! I use the prepackaged dough that you just have to add water to. Of course, this makes everyone slightly hungry, so depending on what you are making, have the kitchen warm some up and serve with butter and coffee - gotta watch for those that are too hungry and start eating the dough! Since you don't know whose is whose when the kneaking is taking place, use fresh bread and tortillas -just make them think it is theirs :-) Just an idea! One of my ladies who has been going down hill lately, came back to life during this yesterday - she even starting cleaning up the left over flour on the table! Oh, and ask the kitchen for the disposable aprons - my folks loved that!

Welcome, You two! Wow, Nathan - a man in the activity field - how great! What got you into activities? It's easy to guess a woman's answer, but I am always curious when a man enters the field!

At one facility I went to, the kids were very comfortable ( a little younger than the group you'll be getting, though) and they were each paired up with a resident - some had to students to a resident. They had 15-20 minutes of different things, such as a game of checkers, coloring, reading a story (the kids read to the resident), etc. The resident felt like they were mentoring the child, and the kids had a great flow because the whole time they were guided by the teacher as to when to clean up and when to switch projects. I could tell that obviously, the kids were well trained by the teacher ahead of time. See if there is something that the 8th graders could do that was at their level. I bet if you worked with the teacher for half and hour to an hour, you two could make out a plan that would suit both really well! Sounds like a really fun project, keep us posted on what you come up with

I haven't done this, but I think this would be neat, too. When I was in the hospital and gave birth to my daughter, the dietary department put together fine linen, polished silverware, a flower and a congratulations for the new mom and dad. My husband saw the cart sitting outside our door and thought it was for someone else, someone dignified - but it was just for us! I also be sure to put a note on the 24 hour report, to remind the staff to wish them a happy birthday. Diana

The discussion came up about age and I mentioned I was 31 and a resident argued with me (she's 102) about my age, swearing up and down that I was past my 40s and that I was a liar!!!!!! I laughed so hard and turned so red!

thanks to everyone for their support! the three classes went well - I only stumbled a few times, but for the most part, the students were being participants and not laughing at me, rather with me! Thanks again!

Last minute ideas for anyone who has any for my trip to the past - being a high school guest speaker! Wednesday afternoon (Feb 15) is when I will go to the school. So far, I have 5 of their students volunteering - and I haven't even been a guest speaker yet! What do I do if I get a bunch of students and it's more than I can handle? I need ideas for that, too I am only freaking out a little. The students I have now are very supportive and laugh at me when I tell them that standing in front of a class is making me nervous. Okay, gotta go to CAre Plans!

Hi Kelley, welcome to the site! this is a great site for questions, directions and support! Take a look around and get a feel for all the site offers - from forms and documents to opportunities for jobs and chances to vent to other directors who face your same frustrations on a daily basis. Knowing there are so many others out there who are just as crazy as I am to continue working in a job they love, with a budget that cries for more and paperwork that is never ending - it's great! Again, welcome! Diana

After some asking around and making several phone calls, I have been asked to be a guest speaker in a student nursing program in one of our local high schools. I'll be in charge of 3 classes, for the full hour. I've got some great ideas, but I want to know if anyone else has had this opportunity. The purpose will be teaching the students about my job and encouraging them to volunteer (conduct their service project hours) at my facility. Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated! Boy, it's been a while since high school - any tips on high school students nowadays? In High School, I was a book worm and a slight geek - so I am a fish out of water on this one! Thanks guys! Diana

Since February 1st is Robinson Crusoe Day, and the book is too long, I found a short version of it on the web. I haven't read all the way through it, but it is worth printing and using! http://www.2020site.org/robbinhood/robinson.html

We are planning a Memorial Service, hosted by one of our Hospice providers, and will be inviting families, residents and staff to attend. Names will be mentioned and hopefully pictures if families provide. What does HIPAA say about Memorial Services?

sorry, I am a no show, also! I couldn't afford the hotel! go figure! Diana

THANK YOU! THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!!

Hmmmm, I am a crazy woman - when is superbowl sunday?!?!? somebody say that i am not the only one who doesn't know this! hahahahahahahaha

The conference in College Station that I mentioned earlier is a THCA (Texas Health Care Association) conference. For Activity Professionals, it provides up to 15 CE clock hours through NCCAP. Is this the information you are looking for?

Is anyone planning on attending the Activity Professionals 2006 Annual Conference & Meeting? It's in College STation, Texas, January 16-18. I am planning on attending - not sure about paying the $89 for hotel rates at the Hilton - are they crazy? I have to pay first then get reimursed from corporate.

Hi Pat! So glad to hear you are back - I've missed you! What state are you in? I am still in San Antonio- same facility. Not much has changed here. I am getting kinda frustrated with lack of fresh ideas and motivation. on top of needing to be a one man show. anyways! welcome back!

Love this idea! I've already written up the notice to staff! Thanks!

I use AD.net, and theactivitiydirectorsoffice.com, along with Gina's site. I also use New Day. Does this help? Diana

Oh, MY GOSH!!! Loved the site www.activitystuff.com!!!!!!! I forwarded it to my boss and my husband!!!!! Check out the site folks! Diana

IN our facility we leave family council up to social services and try to have one every quarter. we don't have very active family members when it comes to family council. another facility I was at the families initated and ran their own council without the assistance of staff at all. I guess it depends on each facility!

Pete Seeger's Storytelling Book is my favorite - very creative, vivid stories. First told verbally and then put into this book form. He even tells the reader where the stories come from and beginnings to stories for the reader to finish. Other greats are almost any of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books or books of fables. Have fun!

Barbara - I am so sorry! How rough for you! You will definetly be in my prayers - to be taken from your residents and a position you've worked so long and hard at! God bless you!

both opportunities are great! YOu make the decision and stick to it! I find it interesting that they are asking a non-nursing personel to assist the DON - just food for thought! Sounds like they value you - but do what your heart tells you!

No, we didn't do a drive - in San Antonio we have an abundance of donation stations and churches to help. Our facilities are quickly filling up with nursing home patients from New Orleans (one facility took in almost 30 new residents). We only have two so far and both are very high functioning - the one gentleman has no family and left his electric wheelchair at the SuperDome. don't know how we'll find him a new one - it's too early to tell. Facilities who are accepting large amounts of residents are basically triaging them into the facility and worrying about payment later. But most of these folks were healthy before the hurricane and most aren't even elderly! These folks never even made it to hospitals before they came to the nursing facilities. All department heads and facility physician were there to receive residents by the busload and sending those who were too sick to the hospitals. On our end, donation stations were out of the question - actual care to evacuees has been number one priority. We are in daily contact with organizations for bed availability for further admissions. Pray for the victims and their families!