Diana

Corporate provides ours - usually during May, to include MOther's Day and Nursing Home Week - they get us a discount. Try them!

Welcome! Hope this site can help you out!

Hi Ann, yes, I too get frustrated, but I love what I do and take the well being of my residents into first consideration! I have been working as an AD for four years and have probably only had an assistant for an accumulated 6 months out of those four years. During survey, you bet I am out on the floor working my tail off, helping nursing staff with passing out trays, etc, but they also help me in return, because they know that if they need something within my grasp, I'll do what I can. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours senario. Good luck and keep your chin up! That's what the residents look forward to....your smile!

good to know your theme for the month, but any thing would be fun! how 'bout leis for hawaiian getaway? with pineapples as centerpieces and giveaways with a drawing? and flowers for the ladies hair movie themes - with movie trivia and old pictures of stars from 30s and 40s good luck!!

Hi Linette, this is Diana, from San Antonio, where are you from in Texas? Welcome to our site!

Has anyone tried this concept or use it in their facility? it's basically creative writing. how many do you usually get in a group? men and women, or separate the sexes? here's the website I found it on : http://www.timeslips.org/resource.html

Hi guys How many of you have done a cruise theme? So far, I have planned the movie "Out to Sea," Hula practice (since we are cruising to the Hawaiian Islands), Hula dancers, a morning planning their own cruises (a travel agent brought in magazines, fliers, posters, and even a cruise video). I have heard of some facilities that have gone as far as announcing activities that week as though they were aboard an actual cruise ship. What sort of social would I have? What other activities could I offer with the cruise theme? What could I offer my low functioning residents? ALL help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hi Mashonda our rules are similar to yours, as far as having halls we cover and being readily available to the state for questions and assistance to staff for problems that arise. We usually arrive 6:30 or 7:00 and leave when state leaves - which the latest I have ever had to stay at this facility was 8:00, and I've been here 3 years. I've seen them stay as late as past midnight when there was an IJ - Immediate Jeapardy. WE had two of our three air conditioners go out during a heat wave - not a good situation! State was in the building till the air felt cool enough to leave. You said you don't conduct activities while state is there because you are monitoring the floor? How dangerous is that!!!! Even if you have assistance that do the activities for you, you need to be active in the daily fun, show your relationship with the residents to the State. State looks at your activites, how you conduct them, your documentation and everything. State wants to see how the facility conducts their daily routine - by being on the floor you are putting your department at risk!!! Don't do it! Give administration guidlines, such as during meal time and when there is no activity, to be monitoring your hall - but you are right, the CNA's do their job just fine and need to prove that to the state as well! Hope this helps!

Welcome! Wow Carl! New Zealand! Go to this site : http://www.senioract.com/wwwboard.html add your name to the postcard club list - everyone would love to get a post card from New Zealand! and I bet your residents would love to get a postcard from us!

Hi Dawn - I've been salary for 4 years and now, just recently they have changed things a little to where I am now "salary-nonexempt" meaning I keep track of my hours (no punch card) and turn them in at the end of the day, still at my 40 hours. Then for every hour that I work over, I only get half pay (yes, that really stinks!!!!). But at least now, I get paid for extra hours I work, which is not what I was getting before. Before, even if I worked 3 hours in one day, I still get paid for the full day. Now, I only get paid for the hours I work. Why they don't give me a punch card, I just don't know! Good luck - rules, rules, rules!

Hey, here in Texas, I don't think we even need certification - I haven't heard anything! I serve food to the residents all the time - is that what you are talking about? We have certain staff that feed residents at mealtime, but I've had no problems during activities.

HI guys! I was just reading the post about men's activities and a few comments were made about "near beer" and little beer. In our facility we celebrate Happy Hour - with the support from ALL administrative staff! In fact, our ADON has even purchased and served the alcohol herself. The residents have their resident's right to enagage in activities of their choosing. Anyone have any other ideas on this?

Welcome!!!! you'll do great if you get the job! Have confidence - that's what gives our residents confidence in themselves!

welcome!!!!

Hi Camie! This is Diana, from San Antonio - where are you? Glad you joined the group! Need anything, just ask!

cindy, what a great idea!!!!!!!!!

hi cindymayby,please fax me your list of games and ideas!!!!!! fax - 210-223-1691 - address to Diana or, email to djcast@camalott.com

Karla - your point was very well put!!!! WE all go to school to be certified to give our residents a meaningful life - not just a clean bottom! Quality of life and what we offer our residents is just as important (if not more so) as nursing duties. Why can't we convince other departments this? I don't know!

Wow guys! I just thought it was neat all your ideas, and all DolleyM was doing was saying hi! Thank you! I'll use your ideas wisely and hopefully get a full crowd of kids this fall!

HI Dolley, so you are a retired school teacher? How do I go about recruiting schools and students to come and visit/adopt a nursing home? Who do I call? What sort of plans do teachers expect you to have for them when you call requesting them? We are close to down town and do have several schools around, but don't know who to call! Thanks!

Thanks Stacy and Pennie - I like those ideas - I usually just write in the "old business" section of my Resident Council minutes their responses and if the residents are satisfied with results. So far no problems, but I might want to take it a step further and add their responses and signatures. Thanks again!

How ridiculous! We are here to excite and energize our residents - give them a sense of belonging! That surveyor is probably an old bookworm, never raised their voice in their whole life! I actually had a surveyor ask a question that she even forewarned me to answer carefully because it was a trick question - yes, she actually said that! So I had no right answer! I chose to say (though you are always told not to say this) that I didn't know! And then the surveyor laughed and said "Good answer." Those surveyor's aren't all they are cracked up to be!

welcome Cathybee! we're a fun group on this site - how long have you been an AD?

Oooops, I forgot to log in! ************************************************* For those who don't know me yet, I am Diana, the Activity Director from San Antonio, Texas. I have been using this site for a month or so and recently became a member. I have been enriching the lives of nursing home residents for four years and love it (minus the paper work, but I gots ta do what I gots ta do). I work in a 131 bed facility with no assistant (what are those?) and about 20 medicare beds, so I am constantly meeting new residents and trying to please the old! Thanks to all for their great comments - I love the topics posted and hearing what everyone has to say! Be talking to you soon!

HI Laree, Are you looking for a form for Resident Council? Doesn't your company provide one? We have one but it is ordered through Briggs. I don't think I can share it due to copy write, but I can double check for you. It is a simple form, easy to use. Takes the guess work out of Resident Council. Are you wondering how to conduct Res Council? Give me more details, I'll help you out. Diana