Miguel

In the State of California all that is required by the health department is a 36 hour class. I suggest that if you dont want to spend the $1000+ dollars it costs, get your assistant certified in at least the 36 hour class, In your area I believe the only class is at Chaffey Community College in Rancho Cucamonga. I feel that anyone who holds an Activity Director Position should have their NCCAP certification. An assistant would be good with just the state certification. -Miguel

As an AD I suggest that if activities for bed bound residents is your weakness purchase a cart, if your facility or department is un-able to purchase one make one. Something that you can bring to your residents. Although they are bed bound you as the director need to be creative and find things they enjoy. If they are pursuing independent activities chart that they are doing it. Visit Gina's website on Activity Director's Office, she has great information that I have found to be very useful.

Welcome to the Activity Profession. I am in Southern California, a little town called Hemet. Are you a member of your local association? Familiar with SCAAP? I will e mail you more information. -Miguel

Each state has their own regulations as to what is a qualified activity director, in my state of California all that is required to hold an Activity Director position is 36 hours of education, The NCCAP is wonderful for those who are interested in getting Nationally certified, If you move to a state that requires that you be certified through the NCCAP and you dont have it you may have a difficult time getting hired. Once again check with your state regulations. -Miguel

I have created my own Activity Participation Log on Microsoft word that I find to be very helpful, Also I have developed my own Room Visit/One-on-One charting form that is very helpful. If interested in a copy please e mail me at msarasa@thevillagehemet.com and I will respond immediatly with a copy. Both hold three months of information. -Miguel Sarasa, AD

I have posted a picture of my March Calendar and Easter Bulletin board idea at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaAc...yProfessionals/ check out photo's section. -Miguel Sarasa, AD

hey all I have downloaded some pictures of my room visit cart on my Yahoo Group @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaAc...yProfessionals/ stop by and check them out. -Miguel Sarasa, AD

Hey Gang here is a copy of my march calendar for ideas.! -Miguel Sarasa, AD

Wow I didnt realize I would have such a huge response to the Policy and Procedures topic. I have about 70 pages of my policy's and procedures done and am willing to share them with those that need it. My e-mail is msarasa@thevillagehemet.com -Miguel

Depends on what type you have it saved on. I am only familiar with Word Documents, Otherwise you can scan all pages, Or do the old fashioned way and make copies and snail mail it to everyone.

OH LOL I am sorry, I wouldnt mind seeing yours bobby. e mail me at msarasa@thevillagehemet.com and if you wouldnt mind sending me a copy I would appriciate it. -MIguel

Bobbie is it in a different language? Spanish? let me know. -Miguel

Greetings all.. Does anyone else have a policy and procedures manual for there activity department. I am updating the outdated one that we currently have but it has not been updated since 1993 (how sad) was curious if anyone else has one I can get a copy of for some ideas. -Miguel Thank You msarasa@thevillagehemet.com

Hey for Veterans Day I am having the local High School ROTC come out and open up a mini veterans ceremony, I am going to have my little vets wear a red carnation, Certificates of appriciation will be presented to all.

Hey Hey, My entertinment canceled on me last week, and I have had no luck getting someone to replace who I hired origianaly, I wanted someone to do something Halloweenish and I cant find anyone, I tired contacting some local schools but all said their would be a busing issue. So I am trying the day cares. -Miguel

Hey All, I have an easy participation log and room visit log, if anyone is interested feel free to e mail me at msarasa@thevillagehemt.com and I would not mind e mailing you a copy. Both allow you to have 3 months on one page. and I created it myself -Miguel

I wanted to share another program that I have, After my exercise program I have a time for residents to drink some water and once a week between 10:45-11:00am I have whats called Chicken Soup, I purchased Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul, Heartwarming stories for people over 60. I read about 2-3 stories and my residents really enjoy this time. Their are chapters on reminiscing and short poems. The book only cost about 12 dollars. -Miguel

We had a Smiley Face Social, in observance of the Yellow (Wal-Mart) smiley face I passed out a yellow smiley face sticker to all residents and staff, after lunch I had my dining area set up with yellow smiley face napkins and cups and yellow smiley face balloon all bought from the 99 cent store. earlier that day we made smiley face cookies which we served at our social. The residents really enjoyed the social time and some even refused to take their smiley face stickers off. I even let staff wear a yellow shirt or something yello. -Miguel

Hey All I tried a drink that was published in this months Creative Forecasting and felt that if you are working in skilled nursing this is kinda difficult, It required residents to scoop out the insides of an orange to be placed in a blender and then would be blended with yogurt to be served in the oranges. I had my residents decorate the oranges while I did all the scooping. They enjoyed doing it but after the 1 or 2nd one they got tired of it. So for you Assisted Living or Independant Living you might want to try it. -Miguel

Hey All, To recognize Roy Roger's I will be having a Roy Roger's Social on my patio. I will be having Roy Roger drinks 7up and Grenadine. its easy and fun and I am sure my residents will enjoy it. -Miguel

I work monday thru Friday with my assistant working on weekends, I enjoy coming in on my weekends it I have a party planned or a birthday party. Activities I have come to learn is not about getting rich, I get the personal satisfaction of being able to be there for people who maybe sometimes dont have anyone to see. Sometimes working saturday or Sunday is required, if so make sure you take some time out during the week. -Miguel

Hey Gang, I have been off this sight for a while (home computer virus) I am so proud of the success this web site has had. I have been presenting this web site to all my workshops on Computer networking here in California and will be presenting at our State Convention next week.. Oooooh How Excited I am. Activity Professionals are the un-sung heros, I am proud to be part of an awesome profession. Although we have to put up with more than others, ultimaltey we are the best. 8-) Keep it up. -Miguel SCAAP Secretary, Nominations Chair, By-Laws Co-Chair.. and An Activity Director

Greetings Dianne...... My name is Miguel Sarasa and I am an Activity Director in Southern California.. I am also on the board of directors of SCAAP which is the Southern California Association of Activity Professionals, For Orange County we have the Local Association called OCADA (Orange County Activity Directors Association) They meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month @ 5pm at Hunigton Beach Hospital for more information contact Candace Bartch @ 714-964-7777.. Or you can e mail me at msarasa@thevillagehemet.com ... Hope this helps ~`Miguel`~

Greetings from California, I to am from California. If their is anything I can help you with let me know.. My e mail address is Msarasa@thevillagehemet.com

I was an AD for an Alzheimers/Dementia Unit, I was responsible at times to assist the caregivers in their duties, If this ment preparing a residents meal, cleaning up after them, etc. If this was the case with you Pat they should have informed you of this when they offered you the position.. ~`Miguel`~