Diana

HI Crystal Welcome! I do reccomend you get certified, it will help out so much with all the technical stuff (assessments, care plans, RAPS, MDS's, etc). It sounds like you know how to keep your residents busy - you'll do great!!!

GINA! I AM SO SORRY! I KNOW HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT YOU PUT INTO YOUR SITE AND ASSISTING OTHER AD'S WITH BEING SUCCESSFUL! IT'LL ALL WORK OUT!!! AND, WOW, 5 KIDS?!? I ONLY HAVE 1 AND I AM TIRED!

GARY, I JUST HAD A CHANCE TO PEEK AT YOUR SITE - IT LOOKS GREAT - I CAN'T WAIT TO LOOK AROUND MORE! I AM GLAD YOU FOUND OUR SITE AND HOPE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER OUT. THANKS FOR SENDING US YOUR SITE!

Hi! I have a four or five page "explaination" of what Resident Council is and its purpose, which I make photocopies of for the new president and the VP every year. It helps them to realize this isn't a "job" that will take up tons of their time or a job where they are responsible for other resident's worries (which I actually had a council president say once that she was burdened and wanted to step down because she took on other resident's problems when she didn't need to). If anyone wants a copy, email me at djcast@activitydirector.com and put in the subject box "Resident Council," and tell me which is best to get this to you, by snail mail, email, fax, which ever.

For ideas with my 100 yr resident, I got these: Print fake $100 bills with resident pics on it (HIIPA rules apply?), 100 balloons, 100 birthday cards, 100 cupcakes, you get the idea! Maybe a free visit to the hairdresser for his/her birthday; have a entertainer come in and sing serenades to resident! We have a Hospice group that came in with their Chaplains dressed as clowns (they did a wonderful job!). Contact Hospice groups, they most likely will have volunteer coordinator that can assist!

Recently I had a JAHCO surveyor say the same thing, but she didn't enforce anything. She also reccomended the spray.

Wilkrose, how was your first day?!? You strive for so much! You'll have a lot to offer your residents! Welcome to our site!

Guys, I need your help!!! Please send a birthday card to my resident who turned 100 years old!!!!!!! Thanks bunches!!!!! Send to Memorial Medical Nursing Center c/o Diana Castellanos 307 W Cypress San Antonio TX 78212

Hi Pennie, who heads up these weekly meetings in Houston? I would love to have something like that here in San Antonio, but myself not being a consultant, I wouldn't be able to provide CEU's as an incentive. And I don't think anyone provides these just for Activity Directors, though I get monthly notices from Area Agency on Aging; once again, not Activities focused. Any info that you know of would be great!!!

Hi Regina, where in Texas? Welcome to the site!! You'll find it useful - we usually have lots of sites for upcoming occasions posted, which has recipes, usually!

Hi Marcia, First, Welcome to our site. You will find it useful and encouraging! Yes, everything you have described is the norm. From working the extra hours (which only yourself can give permission for, the company cannot demand that of you), to paying for classes, hotel and travel first and getting reimbursed later. You are probably wondering if that is a step too much, but I haven't heard of any facility that does it differently. If you are only given 31 hours a week, stick to that! But if you work more, be sure to document and then during your employee review, explain the need for more hours and perhaps they'll grant you this in pay. Gotta run, I'll explain more later!!!

Welcome Alan! don't find many men who are activity directors! Can't wait to hear your ideas!

Hi Y Tina - welcome! let us know if we can help!

Just a reminder, February 7 - 11th is Food Service Week. Don't forget to thank your Dietary Staff - what would we do without them!!!! Anyone have anything they want to share about how they recognize dietary? Last year, the residents and I put together Valentine bags with chocolates and goodies and presented it to them. This year, funds are low, but we still want to toot their horn!

Hi Stacy - welcome to our site!! I am in San Antonio, so I can't help you much with certification, but I know we can help troubleshoot anything you need. 1st time AD, you'll have lots of questions - that's why we're here.

Hi Susan, I understand your problem! It sounds like your facility is doing everything right, and of course, I am sure you guys have documented till you don't have pens left in the facility. For Stacie O's comment, the resident is probably competent enough to know that she can refuse, by resident's right, to go to any mental health facility. Which is unfortunate, because she needs psychiatric help. But Susan, honestly, I just wish you guys the best! Be sure, also, to document your attemps at providing her activities. Have you checked my postings reguarding "Asking Pres to Step Down." I had an issue where the other residents wanted the president to step down and you have to comply with their wishes - it is their right, also. Find out what the other residents feel reguarding this person - it might help your situation. Good luck! Keep us posted!

Hi guys, I have a fun month for February. Not only do I have Valentine's Day, I also have the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo! Last year we had mini horses come to the facility. We also took amazing picture with the residents dressed up with a cowboy hat, cowboy neckties (bandana material cut in strips) old time rifle, horseshoes, barrels of hay, etc. I had amazing family support this year. The day the Rodeo kicks off, we also have the Cowboy Breakfast, in which Dept heads serve residents and staff breakfast at 7a.m. Any other fun ideas for the Rodeo in the facility?

Hi everyone! First, Happy Activity Professionals Weeks to all!!!!! What a fun week for us! I am looking to change my Valentine Party to the morning this year, which is something I don't really want to do, because it is easier for me to finish my planning and preparation for the party throughout the day and have the party in the afternoon, especially since it falls on a Monday. Also, since it's in the A.M., I don't want to do food, because lunch is served at 11:30 and then no one will be hungry for lunch - which dietary and nursing gets antsy about. Okay, so here's my idea - Doing crafts, funny Val superstitions, voting on King and Queen, taking pictures, etc and then serving the Valentine Desserts after lunch is served - so I'll have to hang around till all that is said and done. Does anyone have any other fun ideas for the party to cover that time frame without serving refreshments? It'll be easier to start the party at 10:30. You know our residents, it's not a party unless there is food there to keep them there! Help with your ideas!

Hi katrina, welcome! I saw your post about more activites and shorter time span - give me a chance to think and reply.... Once again, WElcome!

Hi Lynnette, I must admit, my residents also enjoyed Pictionary - we just used a dry erase board - I got residents to respond that I normally don't hear from!

I guys, I am going to try to make this as blunt as possible. I am not thrilled about hearing from posts of people who have nothing but bad things to say about Activities. Ms. Roaten, we try to keep our thoughts about our jobs as positive as possible and encourage each other with our positions in the nursing home through this website. It is much appreciated that we share these thoughts and ideas about our pay and our trials with our jobs in a manner that is still encouraging and not frustrating for another reader to have to endure. Since you are no longer an Activity Director due to harsh feelings about the job, please don't bring everyone else down. We work with what we have every day and understand our jobs are not perfect in any way shape or form. But by the strength God gives us every day, we touch the lives of our residents. God bless all of us in the lives we influence!

HI Pennie, thanks for this posting, though I was confused. I am now head of the Retention Committee at work and the first part of your post was just what I was looking for - I'll bring up these ideas at our next meeting. But then you started talking bout Veterans. Did you mean to do two different posts? Thanks for checking into it

HI Christy - welcome to our site! Please share ideas!

HI Pennie - I just noticed this post - wish I had replied earlier. I have never received a ballot or know who wins every year. You're right - how are the qualifications determined and why isn't my name on the list

Hi Guys! I popped in to the chat room for, oh, 3 minutes. sorry I wasn't there, I was looking forward to it. I'll be there next Tuesday