Flgirl

Linda, 125 volunteers? Boy are you lucky to have that many. How did you recruit all of them? Barbara

Does anyone know of an activitydirectors group in the Souteast Florida are to join?

We had our volunteer appreciation luncheon today. Each volunteer got a certificate of appreciation, a goodie bag with a key chain with a message I attached that said "you are the key to our success", a bath mitt that said "Thanks for lending a helping hand" and a flashlight/radio. We had sandwiches donated by Subway and carnations donated by a florist. Our clients made cheesecake cupcakes for dessert. They all had a :-) time.

Hi,is there anyone reading this who is an AD at an Adult day center for alzheimer's/dementia? I am trying to start up a new program for or clients with early stage dementia and alz. I am looking for information and activities that are different from the ordinary to do with them. All help would be appreciated. I already use a montessori program for my middle/late stages. :hammer: THANKS, Flgirl

:hammer: HAPPY BIRTHDAY PENNIE!!! THE SITE IS THE BEST.Thank you. Barbara

Hi Alan, Good Luck with your survey. I have a lot of experience with Alz.and dementia. The surveyors will be looking for small groups. If they are all in a big group circle sleeping, that will be bad. You may want to use a higher functioning resident to help you lead a group if you don't have enough staff. Sing a longs and giving the residents instruments to play so all can be involved is nice for them to see. Get a punch ball balloon and toss it around for them to do exercise.Its great for getting all involved.Make sure your activity calendar addresses the later stages and says sensory in it. Hope this helps.Let me know if you need more help.

LindyinPA, Good Luck in your new job! Flgirl

Hi Leslye, I use the Montessori program at the Alzheimer's day center I work at. It really does work. Have you read Dr. Cameron's book on Montessori? You can put together a nice inservice for your staff from its material or just do an activity with them so they can model it and get an "alzheimer's perspective". I would be happy to share information with you. You can email me. Good Luck. Barbara

Yes, you should be concerned. What she has aked you to do is illegal and unethical. Resident couuncil minutes are supposed to state the exact concerns of the residents so that hey can have quality of life and a nice environment for them to live in. There is also a follow up form that gets sent to the dept. heads that the concern has been noted and he /she is supposed to write how the problem was resolved. Try inviting the Dept. heads or nurses to the meeting and get their imput. Good Luck. If the Ombudsman ever found out about what yor admin. is doing she could be fined.

Ruthann, I get $34,500 as an Activity Director in an Alzheimer's /Dementia Adult Day Center in South FL. (Which by the way has not been opened since hurricane Frances because we 've had no electricity for 6days :cry: ) Barbara

Welcome anniejrc, This is a great site for sharing ideas.I am the activities director of an adult day center for folks with dementia and alzheimers. I work in Palm Beach County FL. Where do you work? I am looking forward to sharing ideas with you. Barbara

We are using "grandparents day" as the theme for the september bulletin board. All of my clients( I work in a day care for aLzheimer and dementia) families are bringing in photographs of their great and grandchildren to display on the board. It is a great conversation starter and they all enjoy looking at the children.

Pat, that was a good website.It had some good things to do with the group. Barara

Hi all, Does anyone know of any websites with "good news" to talk to seniors about? I do current events everyday at the day center I work in. We read the newspaper, but needless to say it is usually not good news and being that they have dementia I need to be cautious about what I read to them. I try to find good things that are happening, we've been talking about the elections and of course we do Dear Abbey. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Great site, Diana. Thanks. I am going to use it for a 1:1 project. Barbara

I put a sign up in my center asking for Bingo prize donations.You'd be surprised with the good stuff people don't want anymore. I got a lot of costume jewelery, purses,pocketbooks, perfumes,key chains and other cool stuff. Good luck.

Hi everyone, I have a degree in therapeutic recreation and a masters in special education. I taught for 13 years and then decided to go back to recreation. I worked as an activity asistant in nursing homes.I have been an activities director now for 6 yrs. I work in a day center for folks with alzheimer's and dementia and love doing it. I find that my work in special education has helped me to adapt activites easily. I also love doing intergeneratonal activites because of my school connection. I's great to share activites and information with all of you. Still can't get into the chat room though. :cry: Barbara

Hi, Depending on the stages of your residents (early, middle or late) there are several activities that you can do. Reminiscing, trivia, simple cooking, cards, jokes, exercise with your higher functioning are just a few there are many others. All stages love music and sing a longs. Middle stages can do things like matching,folding, sorting, singing, helping you with drying tables, handing out things. Late stages you can do sensory like aromas they can smell, nail polish for the ladies, lotions on their hands. I have been in this field for 12 years. Any activity is possible if you adapt it to their needs. If you send me your fax # I can send you alist of books that may be helpful. Good Luck. Barbara

I had this problem before and am not able to connect to chat on Tues. night. I live in Florida.Does anyone else have this problem? I need help . Thanks! :-?

Hi, Has anyone ever used Dr. Cameron Camp's book on montessori activites for dementia persons?I was thinking of starting a program like that at the day center I work in. It sounds like a good idea. If anyone has heard of it or done the activites I'd appreciate the help. Thanks, Barbara

Hi Midgey. Welcome to Florida. Good Luck with your interviews. What part of Florida did you move too? As for my advice, just be yourself. As the activity assistant you have a lot of experience knowing how hard they work. As a manager you can be fair and understanding of the workers under you because you have been there and know what they are going through. Help them in anyway you can. Be firm in what they are supposed to do, give suggestions and let hem know how much they are appreciated. I am sure you will be wonderful! Barbara in Florida

At the senior prom I did I invited local Senior H.S. students. The girls came deressed in Gowns and The guys in tuxedos. They loved dancing with the "other seniors" and even got school credit for it(community service).They all had lots of fun dancing to both generations of music.

Gina, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your creative forcasting magazines. I got them in the mail today. I filed them away for future use. I like your ideas too! Barbara

Hi, I am trying to change the quarerly careplan format that I use at the Alzheimer Day Center I work in. Quarterly careplans are mandated by the state but they are not the same as the complicated as those that are done in the nursing homes because the peope only come for the day and then go home. Is there anyone who works in an alzheimer day center that has a format for this, to share or ideas of what indicators of participation or decline I could put in? Barbara

Hi, I am an Activities Director at an Alzheimer Day Care center in South Florida.I love my job. I used to work in nursing homes doing the same thing. I am a native New Yorker and have lived in Florida for 14 years. I have also been a special education teacher. My Masters is in Therapeutic Recreation. I am always looking for new ideas and enjoy sites like this where we can share ideas and make this a more recognized profession! Barbara