cjohnson

Hi Everyone, I'm hoping to use you all as great resourses of information. I am currently the Activity Director of a 40 bed facility that anounced last week we will be closing. I know, everone's worst nightmare. I could use some advice or just a friend that has experianced something like this before. What do I do now? What types of activites should I be scheduling? How often? What about National Nursing Home Week? I think it will be kind of hard to celebrate anything with residents leaving almost every day. If anyone out there has any ideas or sugestions that would be very helpful. Please feel free to email me christyjohnson@ecumen.org Thanks Everyone, Christy

I am very interested please email me information at christyjohnson@ecumen.org Thanks

It's hard when you are expected to do more then you can. Remember you are only one person. You are not going to please every one all the time. The great thing about working with TCU residents is most of them are able to do things for themselves. Encourage this as much as possible. Some sugesstions I would have are set the residents up to play bingo on their own. Put the stuff where staff can get it for them and let them play. Have them take turns calling the numbers. Also you might be able to find hand held bingo. This type of resident needs to be as independent as possible. Do you know a game called dice bingo? Let me know I can send you the info. Mostly make activities avalible and inform residents to help themselves. Then the ball is in their court not yours. I want to be sure to let you know to keep up with the scheduled programs and evaluate the residents needs and wants for activities often. But for your down times use this approach.

Hi there. I've worked at a short term unit. It's a lot of fun and very fast. So, I streamlined everything. My initial documentation and assessment are generaly under 1/2 hour. I ask only what I have to. Pick and choose what has to be asked and what doesn't. These residents often do not want to be treated or placed with other nursing home residents. I have made avalible "activites on the go" in a lobby location so they can hopefully help themselves. Magazines, books, coloring pages, hand held computer games, music, devotions, anything they can do in thier room. I also do rounds once a day and just check in and offer any independent activies. Chart all that happens. Residents doing independent activities or visits that can count for 1:1 time. Keep it short and simple, and most residents in a TCU are happy with that. If you have any other questions post it up. Good Luck.