lllucas

Hi, Cadrian :-) Here's another great Activity Director apparel and gift store on the net: http://www.cafepress.com/theadoshop . This shop is owned and operated by The Activity Director's Office. It features the original artwork of Robert Lucas (my hubby) and it is exclusively Activity Director and Volunteer merchandise. Check it out. Best wishes, Linda Lucas, AD http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com

Hi, Karen! In one of my early facilities I decided to create "Bingo Bucks". When a resident won at Bingo they received a Bingo Buck. I had prizes that were of different values. The residents could save their bucks and trade them in for bigger prizes...if they wanted. It was a great idea (and it works to this day). Problem: I made the bucks by running a series of dollar bills through the copier on colored paper. They didn't look a thing like the real ones...except for the image on one side. However... When the pop man came in to fill the Coke machine he found it full of...you guessed it...Bingo Bucks. The dollar bill scanner in the Coke machine recognized the bingo money as real currency. The residents were putting in their Bingo Bucks...getting a Coke for fifty cents...getting fifty cents in change...then buying a candy bar. It was a horror story for me (The repayment impacted my budget for the month). After that we started using Monopoly money. The residents are a lot sharper than we all think! Best wishes, Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Phxville! :-) Be sure to check out http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com for resources. Linda ;-)

Hi, Everyone! :-D Just received this e-mail from a friend and decided to pass it on to all of you. There is a site where you can practice your pumpkin carving skills online. Remember to press done when your pumpkin is carved...it lights up! :hammer: http://www.toilette-humor.com/flash/carve_pumpkin.swf Have fun, Linda Lucas, AD ;-)

Hi, Kate! :-) I have no idea why the survey response was so small. Here is what NCCAP has to say about their survey: "So what do the results show on an average? The average activity professional works in SNF/LTC in an Urban area and has at least an associates degree, if not a bachelors degree. The average Activity Professional has 11 to 20 years of experience, is nationally certified as an ADC, works 33 to 40+ hours per week and earns $11 to 19.75 an hour. The job title most often used is Activity Director. Your budget is $600/month or less and your staffing ratio is most likely 1 staff member for every 31 to 59 residents. *Again the information provided here was based on the information provided by the 128 certified members that completed the survey. NCCAP is not making any recommendations, endorsements, etc., as to the proper amount, wage, salary an individual should make and/or request. NCCAP recommends that individual activity organizations conduct their own wage surveys to better assist their members on a more local level." Perhaps we should conduct our own survey here on the Activity Director Network. Or, I could post a survey on my site or in Activity Director Monthly. What do you think? Best Wishes, Linda Lucas, AD ;-) PS: By the way...I would sure like for those people who have a $10,000 per month budget to tell me how I could get one (even $1,000).

Hi, Everybody! :-) I just want to pass this on to you. The NCCAP conducted a nationwide survey of Activity Professionals regarding their salaries, budgets and staffing. You may find the results at the NCCAP site: http://www.nccap.org/survey/2005_salary_survey/index.shtm Notice the wide variation in wages and budget. This is why, when someone asks what kind of wage they should receive, our answers sound so confusing. Sheesh!!!!! :hammer: Happy AD'ing ;-) Linda Lucas, AD PS: Thanks NCCAP for the data.

Hi, LECINSA! :-) There are probably a lot of entertainers in the San Antonio area. I'm from Indiana and really have no idea who they might be. Ask your residents and employees. Usually they know of people nearby. Also, check out this site under Entertainer Listings. Good Luck, ;-) Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Melanie Lynn! :-) I agree with my colleagues. Also, you might simply take time to read from your local newspaper. The residents are interested in everything including the obituaries, police arrests etc. Wishing you the best, ;-) Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Pennie! :-) We are all praying for you. Be careful and keep safe. Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Vanessa! :-) This idea sounds great! However, like you, I could not find any reference to Elder House, Elderhouse, or Elderhaus which had anything to do with plastic bag cooking. There are a few plastic bag, zip lock, ziploc recipes on the net, but most of them seem to be either ice cream or trail mix. I did go to the Reynolds web site and found a bunch of foil bag recipes using Reynolds Oven Bags and Hot Bags. Here is the link: http://www.reynoldskitchens.com/reynoldski...ecipes&prodID=6 It isn't exactly what you describe, but it is cooking in a bag. Best Wishes, Linda Lucas, AD ;-)

Hi, Debbie! You seem to have the heart of an Activity Director. I hope you become an AD if that is what you want to do. All of the things you mentioned will help toward getting your job (i.e. education, certification, work history, etc.). Some facilities look for someone who already has their state certificate. That is, someone who has already completed the mandated state Activity Directors course. If you are going to work for your brother...that may be all you need. And in most states it can be completed within a mandated time after you start working (however, you will need to be supervised by an Activity Consultant until you recieve the certificate). Qualifications and wages vary widely from state to state. It would be best for you to contact your state board of health for qualifications, and state activity association for average wage. Once you get your state certificate and become an AD, there are professional certification options open to you (especially if you have a college degree). Best wishes in your pursuit, Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Shondrella! :-) Get them to do whatever it is they normally do. Always remember that the people in rehab are probably going home. That is their goal. You need to assess them and try to offer them activities they were doing prior to rehab. Example: word searches, crosswords, card games, watching television, reading the newspaper, favorite magazines, knitting, crocheting, etc. If they used to use two hands but can now only use one hand...find a way for them to adapt and continue their regular daily activities. Keep in mind...they are going home. This does not mean you do one on ones with them. Limit it to daily five minute check with them to see if they have any needs for supplies for their normal activities. Document. Be sure to involve their family and friends in assisting you in trying to maintain a sense of normality for them at this very difficult time in their life. You should also continue to invite them to take part in facility activities, and encourage them to eat with and associate with the general population of the facility. Above all remember to document, document, document. Hope this helps you out, Linda Lucas, AD ;-)

Dear smls71, When you are multi-talented you always get spread thin. Just remember this...the Activity Director is a rock solid position. The other position is pieced together and is only necessary until someone who knows computers and has a nursing background comes along. Also, it it ever comes to budget cuts from corp, guess which position gets cut first. If you take the other position...you must make your service to the facility totally indespensible. In other words, they need to think they can never get along without you. You must be on top of everything they give you to do...and do even better than that. If you keep the Activity position...you must learn to say NO to many of the non-Activity department things you are doing. No more "go-for" jobs. The residents and the Department need your full attention. Bottom line: Do what your heart tells you to do and you will be happy for it. Sincerely, Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Laurie! A Postcard is on its way from Indiana. Best Wishes, Linda Lucas, AD

Hi, Barbara! My prayers are with you. Unfortunately, even though most companies claim that the wellbeing of the resident comes first, it's the dollar that calls the shots. In some cases change is good...but it is hard for the residents to accept and adapt. It appears your talents are needed somewhere else. Keep your chin up. If you love what you're doing (and I think you do) opportunity will present itself soon. Keep in touch with all of us. Best wishes, Linda Lucas, AD

Dear Folks, :-) It is difficult to find state requirements posted anywhere on the web. I suggest that you contact a local nursing home, tell them you are interested in the Activity Director field and that you would like a copy of their job description as well as state certification requirements. Always go to the source. Best wishes, ;-)

Hi, Lydia Jane! :-) Several years ago I worked in an Adult Day Care as the Activity Director. You might try appointing one staff member as the Activity Director and hold her/him accountable for conducting consistent, timely and meaningful activities. Be sure to create a job description and a means of employee evaluation. Your roll is to train, support, evaluate and discipline...but don't micromanage. If that person doesn't work out...replace them with someone who will (in other words advertise for a new Activity person). Just a suggestion. Best wishes, Linda ;-)

Dear StacieO, :-) Here is a resource that will help you a lot. It is to a page on The Activity Director's Office website. Here you can download a survey and its key findings regarding Adult Day Care Centers throughout the United States. It is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. The survey was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in 2002. It contains facts, figures, and needs assessment on a county by county basis across the nation. There is a page that compares services provided and comparative costs. Hope this helps you, ;-) Linda http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/RWJF.html

Hi, AD's :-) Just received this in my e-mail and had to forward it on to you. Maybe this will boggle your mind, I know it did mine! :hammer: The year is 1905 - one hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! THE YEAR: 1905 Here are some of the U.S. statistics for 1905: The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years. Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars. There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union. The t! allest s tructure in the world was the Eiffel Tower! The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents an hour. The average U.S. worker made betwee! n $200 a nd $400 per year. A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year. More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home. Ninety percent of all U.S. physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard." Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound. Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo. Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason. The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30!!! Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented. There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day. Two of 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated high school. Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfectguardian of health." (Shocking!) Eighteen percent of households in the U.S had at least one full-time servant or domestic. There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S. And I forwarded this from someone else without typing it myself, and sent it to you in a matter of seconds! Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years ....... it staggers the mind.

Hi, AD's! :-) I just received an e-mail with a link to Store Wars, a take off on Star Wars featuring organic veggies. That's right...organic veggies. You'll have to see it to believe it. Let us know what you think. So...take a break and click on: http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html May the farm be with you! ;-)

Hi, WEDA! :-) Congratulations to you for joining the Activity Director Network. You will discover that this is the largest, fastest growing and most active AD message board on the net. The administrators and moderators are all wonderful, experienced and hard working AD people who have your best interest at heart. Please take time to visit often and feel free to post or reply to the messages. Sincerely yours, ;-)

Hi, WEDA! :-) If your residents are sitting in an area where sensitive information can be overheard or observed, then, for the privacy of other residents, they can be requested to move from the area (e.g. by the nurses station, in front of the financial office or any other office where personal information may be discussed or posted). If they are setting around TV areas or lounge areas or open public areas, they have a right to be there...it is their home. Hope this helps you out. Best Wishes, ;-)

Hi, Everyone! :-) The following link takes you directly to the Myers Research html of the things you are discussing. The book, Montessori-Based Activities for Persons with Dementia is available from Amazon.com. The html link to Myers Research is http://www.myersresearch.org/MontInt.html . Best wishes, ;-) Linda Lucas, AD PS: Here is the Amazon.com link from The Activity Director's Office website: http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/...ourceBooks.html

:-D Hi, Everyone! Well? Did you go there? Have you figured it out? When you do you'll say (Duh-uh!!!) :hammer: Let us know what your find.... Linda Lucas ;-)

Hi, Folks! I just have to get my 2 cents worth in on analyzing men's activities. Here is the problem with men compared with those of women.... :pint: If you are a MAN... Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car Mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocketknife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes. No wonder men are happier! (Received in an e-mail) Have fun! ;-)