Miguel

Here are three more Pics I found in going thru all my pictures for the past 3 years.. I dont usually do the Fabric Paneling for Bulletin Boards, Just these two were being used at those times. December Calendar Murder Mystery Luncheon I did and a Holiday/Christmas Board

Hi Mel.. Are you a member of any California Activity professional groups?? What was the last thing you ate? A Special K bar Do you wish on stars? Yup If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple or Yellow How is the weather right now? Foggy and icky Last person you spoke to on the phone? A residents sister How old are you today? bad question! Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Dr Pepper Favorite sport(s) to watch? Have you ever dyed your hair? yes Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses Pets? two birds Favorite month? December Favorite food? Chicken and DUmplings What was the last movie you watched? Pirate of the Carribean Favorite day of the year? •Fall or Spring? Fall •When was the last time you cried? •What did you do last night? Went to the local fair

well in re-reading the question it can be a little confusing.. You state he is sitting in arts and crafts watching people. That would make him a passive onlooker and not actually involved in the activity. If he is specifying the colors he wants for his project and someone else is being his hands than he is actively involved in the program. You need to care plan the problem or need of the specific resident.. What does he need to perform the activity?? I strongly encourage any activity professional who has trouble writing careplans to purchase the careplan cook book as it has verbage for a variety of activiyt related careplans. in the careplan cook book on page 4-16 Resident has impaired Physical Mobility and needs activity modifications to enhance program participation. a suggested goal is that resident will use adaptive equipment to perform activity for a certain amount of time (measurable outcome per Activity Interepretive Guidelines) and a certain amount of times by re-evaluation date (another measurable outcome per Activity Interepretive Guidelines). List Approaches and Interventions.

It’s much more clear as to ensure that all areas of health are being covered, based on the 6 dimensions of Human Health.

Greetings Gang! I am in the process of transitoning my whole activity department into the wellness model based on the 6 Dimensions of Health.. Anyone else do anything of this sort?? would love to hear what you guys are doing! -Miguel

Well obviously no one had anything to add so I thought I would give it a shot... Progress notes should be written around the same time that you are doing the quarterly updates on careplans..... It is human nature to of course be a few days off either before or after.. I would suggest you use some form of Tick Sheet or like my Medical Records Director does is provides us a report every month on what progress notes are due for the month and complete them according to your Assessment and MDS date. The progress note paints a picture of the resident and with the New Interpretive Guidelines should be a tool to evaluate the outcomes of careplans.. (measurable outcomes based on programs provided by you the director) If careplanned interventions and goals are not being met than they need to be changed and the progress note can be the place to make these chages. progress notes also can be reflect on any accomplishments that the resident has completed in the last quarter or any declines they may have. Hope this helps.. -Miguel

Their are so many different programs one may use for creating various items such as calendars, newsletters, flyers, etc etc.. Some Administrators are not willing to pay the extra money for a nice program so to those activty professionals who struggle with budgets or supply Issues I suggest you learn how to make your calendars in Microsoft word ( I have been using word for the past 4 years and am able to just as much as the big programs) or if you have some of the fancier programs use them. I would be willing to send anyone my word layout on my calendar, shoot me an e mail msarasa@thevillagehemet.com -Miguel

I use the Enrichement Sensory Program by Hall and Nolta, The book is more of an Enrichment Sensory Program but the items that are shared with residents can bring back alot of memories. -Miguel

Hi Trixie, You want an assistant that you can train or someone who knows what they are doing. I suggest you require that all candidates spend at least a few hours with you in an activity program so that you can get a feel for how they are around residents. It is always wise to hour someone who is stronger where you are weaker so the two of you can work together to get things done. have a set job description so that they can fully understand their job duties. I suggest a really good Policy and procedures book to purchase is that of Beth Hall and Michele Nolta.. Its Awesome! -Miguel

Hey I am posting some pictures of my Bulliten Board and Calendar Board.. August we are having a Hawaiian Theme.. Let me know what you think..

There is such a thing as having a passive onlooker careplan.

Hi Ted! Sounds as though your in mess! If I were you contact the Illinois state association and check out networking in your area, this would be a great lead to learn about job opportunities. whos leaving where etc etc.. Hope this helps, if you ever decide to come back to California... Look me up! -Miguel

Hey Hey.. Typically I do an Annual "The IMportance of Activities and Leisure" and than additional ones for anything that I need staff educated on.. This would entail using Sensory Stimulation Kits, etc etc. My Volunteer's are required to attend at least one Inservice Training Monthly which would entail new Policy and Procedures that directly impact them such as Hand washing, Resident Rights, Confidentiality, etc etc. -Miguel

A Student posted this question in my Volunteer Workshop and thought I would post it in the message board so that others may read and learn from it. -Miguel I'm puzzled about this... I understand the MDS has a 7 day look back for assessment time and the ARD date has 7 days to completion for careplan date. Here is where I'm confused... My progress note needs to match the same 90 day date as the careplan ?? Do you write the progress note at careplan? Thanks for your imput.

Hey Kevin! Hope all is good with you, just read your post and its great to see younger men in the Activity Profession! I think that younger activity professionals getting together to ensure the future of activity programming is important, I have encountered too many Activity Professionals who refuse to learn something new or "think outside of the box" and seeing that there is a future (you and me and others like us) is very heart warming. Keep doing what your doing, continue your education and show those who doubt you that they dont know what their talking about! Keep in touch, all of us who care about activity reform in CAlifornia need to get together! I may be in Visalia in OCtober to speak at the Annual NCCAC Conference, Maybe we can meet. also.. visit the California Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaAc...yProfessionals/ You have to be a member of yahoo! Could really use your energy on the message board! -Miguel [ quote name=OceanGuy23' date='May 28 2007, 10:42 PM' post='8028] What is your name? Kevin What is your occupation? I currently work as an activities assistant in a long term care facility in the Central Valley in California, soon to be an Activity Director in a couple months. What are you listening to right now? Christian music radio station 88.3 FM What was the last thing you ate? Hamburger and fries Do you wish on stars? no, not really If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue How is the weather right now? Right now it is dark out, but we're having warm weather in the Valley now Last person you spoke to on the phone? My good friend from church How old are you today? 23 Favorite drink? Carmel Frappuchino from Starbucks or Pepsi Favorite sport(s) to watch? Baseball Have you ever dyed your hair? I only get my tips blonde Do you wear contacts or glasses? No Pets? I dog, a daschund, she's a part of the family Favorite Month? I would have to say December Favorite Food? Kentucky Fried Chicken or Chinese food What was the last movie you watched? It's been awhile since I've seen a movie Favorite day of the Year? Christmas Fall or Spring? Fall When was the last time you cried? When one of my resident's passed away What did you do last night? Relaxed and watched t.v. What Inspires you? My residents and working in activities in long term care What are you afraid of? snakes Favorite car? Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic Favorite Dog breed? Daschound or Chihuaha How many years at your current job? I have worked at the same facility as an activities assistant for six years, next month How many states have you lived in? just one, California How many cities/towns have you lived in? just one town, Turlock

Thanks Everyone who responded to my post! I agree with everyone else, and do not allow Court Ordered community service to be completed within my facility. The intent of the post was to generate some ideas on how these individuals could complete hours by completing other tasts that do not require resident contact. The only idea that I have so far is to have them complete craft program cut outs at home. ANY OTHER NON-RESIDENT INTERACTION IDEAS that can be used to make my life easier? -Miguel

I was contacted today by a young lady that is required to complete 30 hours of Court Ordered Community Service. The offense was that she was caught stealing becuase she was homeless. I do not feel comfortable with having her in my facility but figured their are things that she can do at home to make life easier for me. The only thing I could think of is cutting out patterns for Art's N' Craft project so that all I have to give to her is Scissors and if nothing is returned I can always report her for not returning items. Anyone else ever do something of this nature or have some ideas that I can have her do?? Thanks! -Miguel

Hi Trixie! I use the enrichment sensory program written by Beth Hall and Michelle Nolta (http://www.rec-therapy.com/) Its an awesome program! As for my team cheerleaders, when we have competition style programs our residents who are un-able to perform the activity are encouraged to cheer on the others, makes them feel a part of whats going on. -Miguel

Awesome! I currently live in a town called Hemet in southern California and moved here from Stockton so I know exactly where Turlock is. Great step to complete a basic state approved course, where and who are you taking it from and how many hours is it? The reason I ask is from what I hear there is an instructor in your area who teaches the 90 hours Basic Mepap Course and has been for a while. Mepap is not required at the present moment but it would be a dream of mine for it to happen. (Which from what I hear through the grapevine wont be far away) I strongly encourage that you complete a state approved course and if it is not the Mepap class that is taught in your area make sure its over 70 hours so that you can complete a NCCAP Bridge the Gap course we are trying to bring to California which would count as your Mepap 1 course (90 Hours). If it is 36-40 hours (what’s required by DHS) than I would encourage you to take the Mepap 1 Course online through Activity Directors Network or with whomever you choose. Some Activity Professionals in California are funny in that they think as soon as they complete a state approved course they are certified which is not the case, they are only qualified and have a certificate of qualification, NO CREDENTIAL BEHIND THEIR NAME and honestly, take it from someone (me) who has taken a 72 hour course, a 40 hour course, and a 90 hour Mepap 1 (currently on my Mepap 2) The state is far behind and the only way an Activity Professional is going to gain the most adequate educational training is the Mepap courses and become certified (which requires continuing education every 2 years, California State Qualifications do not require any form of Continuing Education which is sad as these professionals are not getting new ideas to bring back to their facilities and residents) Hope this all makes sense! Look forward to hearing from ya! -Miguel

Hi OceanGuy! My name is Miguel Sarasa and I am in California, where exactly are you located? As for California, Certification is a little different in every state like you mentioned in your post and California is no different. Currently all that is required is 36 hours of training in Geriatric Activity Programming; there is no State Certification. Many activity professionals who complete a state approved course tend to immediately think they are certified which is not the case. They have only become qualified and don’t have any form of credentials like OT's, RT's and other health care professionals have. I strongly encourage that you complete a "state approved course" and work on the NCCAP Mepap Courses, as they are truly amazing in covering all aspects of the Activity Profession. I completed a 72 hour course in the state, a 40 Hour Course and my Mepap 1 and am currently working on my Mepap 2 and I must say I learned more in my Mepap Classes than I did in both State Approved Courses. Get certified with the NCCAP (www.nccap.org) they are the activity professions certifying body! If you would like to chat in detail feel free to call me at (951) 992-0230 -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

I am starting this forum in the hopes to feel out what Activity Professional across the nation feel about Federal and State Legislation such as Resident to Staff Ratio in Activity Programs, appropriate living wage, Certification Vs. Qualified, and any other ideas you may have! Lets Make a Change! -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

Greetings Gang! I would like to share the website http://www.tcpnow.com/kits/acrossgen.html as I have found its material very helpful when havinging younger volunteer's who come in once a week. They offer an abundance of material that the activity professional can use. Let me know what you think! -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

This post has been created in the hopes that California Activity Professionals will introduce themselves and describe their care settings! -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

Good Day Ladies and Gents, I thought that starting a new topic on State Survey Experiences from across the Nation would be good to get a clearer picture of the New Interpretive Guidelines and what states are not being reviewed under them. I had my survey last week and was very impressed with their interest in Activities. State Arrived on Tuesday, they asked to see my Resident Council Minutes and Activity Calendars for the past few months, nothing unusual. Here is the unusual part though.. I was asked by a state surveyor how the activity department handles burn out and stress? I was asked to see participation records for a lower functioning, blind resident involved in a group activity and was asked what other "Therapeutic" opportunities this resident has to maximize her quality of life, fortunately I have a separate Enrichment Sensory Program in which this resident is on where she is provided 4X weekly, we always include her in group Activities for Socialization which we are able to get a response from her as a team cheerleader or is always willing to count during activity programs. Another interesting thing is the State Surveyor commented on the New Interpretive Guidelines and how important ACTIVITIES IS! WOOOOO HOOOOO, care plans were mentioned as being done and because I was prepared all my residents had an Activity Program Care plan. Had 2 surveyors sit and observe a group activity for 2 hours. Nothing but praise for Activities so needless to say I am proud of my department! Any other experiences with survey?? -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

I am 1 of a handful of male activity directors that I know of in the State of California. We need more men in the field. -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC