harrispatrice

I don't think taking residents to strip bars is appropriate!!! Especially since you are female and you will have to supervise the event. That to me is pushing that fine line of freedom. I too have heard of hooters, but at least those women aren't completely naked. I couldn't tell you the "verbage" to use when expalining this to your male residents, but that isn't an appropriate place for you to take them due to the fact that you are female. Good luck with that!

I agree! I would be upset as well. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do if "The Powers that Be" told you that your younger volunteers are a liablility. The volunteer age limit at my facility is 16 so I really can understand your frustration, but that only limits me with signing off on volunteer hours. I can have young volunteers, but they don't get the hours. According to my corporate director we must embrace the interaction of young children and the elderly. National Nursing Home Week 2009: Nurturing a Love that Lasts even promoted the use of an event with children and elders. Nursing Homes aren't prisons and if they enjoy your younger volunteers they should have the right to be around them. Patrice

For pain management music helps period....no matter the type; as long as it is soothing and relaxing it will all work the same. In my experiences I have used the relaxation/peaceful sounds that you will hear in a spa or if the jazz music. Talk with the family/responsible party and they will give you clues as to whats best for their loved one. Patrice

I don't work in a hospital, but I do a lot of 1:1 with bed ridden residents and here is some ideas: Tactile Stimulation Activities such as allowing them to sift through rice/beans to find objects hidden within or hand massages and nail care. Residents absolutely love when you give them massages! For a group setting you can do music therapy, aromatherapy or a sing a long (if most are alert). In addition you could bring in a pastor/priest for a religious program (depending on their religious preference). Hope this helps! Patrice

In my facility we use shirt protectors. The reason it is not a dignity issue as it pertains to the aforementioned tag is we must ask the resident if they would like to have a shirt protector. If the resident responds yes then it immediately becomes their right to receive one and thus you no longer have a dignity issue. You must make it a choice to escape those tags! Patrice

My suggestion for your Activities Room color is yellow! Its bright and vibrant and trust me residents love the color. You need a color that is not dull, but not too over the top like a lime green. In my facility we have recently painted one of our meeting rooms yellow and all of the residents have been asking me when are we painting our room the same color. The room is two toned with the lighter yellow on top and a darker shade of yellow on the bottom trimmed with white. Its has been such a hit we have nicknamed it the "Sunshine Room." Good luck Patrice