Diana

Hi Margie - Our complaints were on how many times someone can win Bingo. It used to be on whether they came in late, but I remedied that by not stopping the game at all. I have a handheld Bingo caller (from Avon, about $10) that enables me to walk around, set up a new contestant, and double checks people's cards as I am calling them out. It is SO MUCH BETTER than a cage with balls - I do not like those at all!!!! If I know someone is running late, or simply chooses to come in half an hour in, then I go ahead and set their table up in anticipation of them arriving. I haven't heard complaints since. Recently, the complaints were on how many times someone can win (since we all know there really are lucky cards out there) and unfortunatly, we had a family member that would come and play without the resident being there. The residents never voiced their complaint till this week, and that is when the blow out occured. Now the family member can not play Bingo, and it is all due to the new rules that Resident Council put together. It sounds so much better coming from RC!!!!!!

HI Princess - for the holidays, I like to have a Thanksgiving Pie Party - tons of fun! and this year for Christmas I have gotten together with a Montessori School who is going to write our residents "Dear Santa" letters for our residents to respond to as Santa. And this year, my residents have opted to have a bigger Christmas party instead of gifts with teh money they raised for Christmas. Nice to have you on the site!

Thanks you guys! I had a silly idea that i was the only one who had to approach a president with this! Yes, all of this is properly documented in the Minutes, including how the meeting was concluded and how the rest of teh residents stuck around after the president left. When I told the President about the recommendation to resign, she simply said "Ohhh." And then I let her read the minutes (after I had already spoken with the administrator) of the meeting. She didn't seem overly upset, but I do know that currently nursing and the social worker are still working on her psych meds. When she's on them, she's very calm and collected! Due to not having any behaviors, it's the old "well, she doesn't need psych meds if she doesn't have any behaviors." It's the stupidist thing I have ever heard of!!! I haven't told the other residents about the medical reason she had the outburst, due to HIIPA - also due to the fact that I don't think she realizes that's the reason. Thanks again! I appreciate this so much - Always a first time for everything!

Oh Boy!!!!!!!! I am at a loss!!!!!! Our Resident Council President had an outburst during a Bingo game on Tuesday (very much unlike her, due to med changes), and after she left Resident Council today the rest of the residents stayed and said they want her to step down as president, due to her outburst of anger about Bingo. During Resident Council, we made up new rules about Bingo, all of which are to be posted in the dining room at all times and apply to all Bingo's played. The administrator wants us to wait it out the next month till next Resident Council meeting in December, but I think the other residents will see that as stalling. We vote on new Resident Council Offices in January, but I think the extra two months will be too long a wait. Anyone have any advice, or similar problems? I am just praying I am doing the right thing!!!!

Hi, not sure about Houston, but in San Antonio, I started out at $12.00 and three years later am at $13.26. Houston, of course, higher cost of living, so I wouldn't doubt if you would start at least at $15.00 or more.

HAS ANYONE TRIED CONTACTING A CLASS TO GET ELEMENTARY KIDS TO WRITE LETTERS TO SANTA AND HAVE THE RESIDENTS REPLY TO THE LETTERS AS SANTA? HOW DID THIS GO? HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU NEED BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO FINISH THIS PROJECT? WHAT DID THE RESIDENTS REPLY IN THE LETTERS? WERE THEY TYPED TO BE BETTER READ? OR JUST USE RESIDENTS HANDWRITING (WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS THE BEST) THANKS!

HAVE YOU TRIED A SERVICE PROJECT? GETTING HER TO WRITE THANK YOU NOTES TO OTHER VOLUNTEERS; SETTING UP ARTS AND CRAFTS (SORTING AND SUCH) FOR GROUP ACTIVITES; PERHAPS SHE COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE FOR THE FUTURE MONTHS UPCOMING ACTIVITY CALENDAR. GOOD LUCK

HEY PAT! GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU! I HOPE YOU KEEP THE JOB YOU HAVE - SOUNDS LIKE YOU REALLY LIKE THE HOURS AND IT WORKS OUT WELL FOR YOU. TAKE IT EASY!

Hmmm, I love everyone's ideas! everyone is so creative! Since you've been there three weeks, probably four by now, and so few residents...I would definetly take this opportunity to get to know each of them one on one! that way you'll get to know them individually, but they will also get to know you. When the facility has an opportunity to finish construction, then they will be the ones encouraging the new reisdents to attned activities, because they've gotten to know you. That might make your job a little easier! Also, have you noticed anyresidents who have gained any friendshsips with any other residents? Even two or three of them? That might be a good start as well. Work with the "groups" that have formed themselves already. I sounds like you're in the beginning of a fun adventure! Good Luck!

HI LInda! I checked out your website and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I even love the newsletter! I have been looking for an "easy way out" with mine! Now all I have to do is add my info to the back! Thanks again!

HI guys! I have to share this site with you!!!!! if you have adobe, you're in! print this "The LIfe Story of" and place it at your nurses stations. Families will love it! http://www.tcpnow.com/holidaykit/part2/hd2.5lifestory.html

HI Guys! I was just very blessed by a resident and his sister with 5 boxes of dominoes! I have at least two other residents in the facility who have their own. Which gives us seven boxes. I would love to host a dominoe tournament in our facility but don't know where to begin. Any ideas? How would we put together a roster and who plays who? HELP!!!! I need to run with this idea!

Hi Laree! Boy, sounds like you have a challenge on your hands! Ask corporate and your Administrator exactly what they have in mind! Maybe other sister facilities have used ideas for that specific request of no pushpins, tape, etc. I wish I had a solution! Have you perhaps tried a built in shelf with see through glass? It would probably have to be pretty big, multipurposed for everything from displaying the calendar to displaying residents arts and crafts, or dominoe scores! Good luck!

Hi Lynn, sounds like the facility is a lawsuit waiting to happen with the ride situation! Glad you didn't go for it! As department head, I work one weekend every three months, as rotation with other department heads. Of course, taking off two days during that week to make up the weekend. I never go over my 40 - I make it equal out in the end!

Hi Sarah! Where in Louisiana? I used to live there, and have a sister that still lives there! Welcome to the site!

Hi guys! Looking for Fun Quotes, try this site! I use it often.... I love the one about Kermit the Frog " Time's Fun when you are having Flies." http://www.deepfun.com/quotes.html Check it out! You'll love it! Perfect for your newletters and bulletin boards!

I started young as well. Then went off and got my Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Sociology and a minor in gerontology. Then I realized I wanted to be an Activity Director, and here I am four years later! I might be expanding my horizons, but for now, I love what I am doing!

Heavenstar, tell me more about your job! Where do you work? What type of facility? How many residents? Are you doing enough with your residents? Do you have documentation on all the resident volunteers? I am jealous, but wondering where you work and if I can steal your job!!!!!!!!

Wow!!!! Congratulations are in order! This past survey we only got four tags - it was almost two, but then in the last half hour they caught us on the last two - hate it when that happens! sometimes when they catch you on the weird stuff, it is how Corportate will approve for big changes. One year we got sited for not have updated chairs in teh dining room. Now we have brand new, beautiful chairs, and get compliments ALL THE TIME! Congrats again!

hi! a few ideas: show the recent remake of Freak Friday - fun movie! do a little switcheroo on food, to enjoy the "freaky"ness of the day. Have a cake that isn't really a cake, but it is meatloaf with mashpotatoes as icing! Have them guess what they are eating! (other ideas are on the tip of my head, but I can't think of those food items yet) Have them wear a weird hat that day - or at least for the activity. Good luck!

HI BreeAnn, post your fax number and I'll fax the Resident Council form for you.

Funny, but I use this website! I get burned out not from lack of ideas, but from lack of support to pull those ideas into motion! Staff involvement is so critical, and yet staff (floor staff and administration alike) think we've got Activities under control with our creative minds and a few volunteers! How much more successful we would be if ALL staff realized THEIR importance in the well being of their resident's lives, not just as nurses, but as friends and emotional supporters! I used to have an administrator who, when seeing I was getting stressed or burned out, he would give me the rest of the day off with pay! He knew he couldn't function without me as AD, and didn't want to loose me! Boy I miss him!

What out of building activities do you offer your residents, besides shopping trips and eating out? How many are you usually able to let go at a time?

Just wondering how to go about being certified to be an Activity Consultant? How does being a consultant work, as far as within companies? Do companies hire you as a consultant over several facilities and yet have you working as a director in another? All information appreciated!

HiPeanutnut! Welcome - you'll love the postings on here - the support system is great!