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The History of Almshouses to Nursing Homes The first almshouse in United States history was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1622. The original Boston Almshouse was burned down in 1682 and was rebuilt away from the heart of Boston nearly a decade later. Upon entering the almshouses in Connecticut, patients were whipped ten times. There were similar institutions developed from 1725–1773 in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and New York. At the Pennsylvania Hospital, some "lunatics" were chained to a cellar wall or wore primitive straitjackets. One of the biggest problems with almshouses is that they were rarely self-sustaining. They were costly to run, and the capacity of the inmates to pay for their own keep by working at the farm, or working at the almshouse itself, was greatly overestimated. There were not enough staff, facilities were not kept up, and the poor kept coming. The Evolution 1860 Before the American Civil War, local officials regulated almshouses and did not ensure the people inside them were being cared for in the proper way or given the time they needed for help. It was not until the 1860s that more progressive states such as New York began to create boards that regulated, inspected, and reported on almshouses. 1884 The statistical analysis of the Massachusetts almshouses showed four in the city of Boston and 225 almshouses throughout the state. These almshouses housed nearly 7,000 people. Of these residents, 700 were believed to have a mental illness. Half of these almshouses did not house children. Almshouses were often multiple small terraced houses or apartments providing accommodation for small numbers of residents. The units may be constructed in a "U" shape around a communal courtyard. Some facilities included a chapel for religious worship. 1878 The Newark almshouse opened in September 1878 as a branch of the Syracuse State School. It was located on 104 acres of land within the town of Newark, New Jersey, and held around 853 patients. The nine dormitory buildings that housed the patients were able to hold anywhere from 45 to 130 people. There was also a small hospital within the almshouse that could hold up to 30 patients. There were not many employees, only about 110, to take care of the hundreds of young women admitted to the almshouse. Patients were committed to the Newark State School by superintendents of the poor as well as judges who declared them insane or feeble-minded in court. By the end of the 1800s, almshouses began to be replaced by asylums and institutions. Before the nineteenth century, no age-restricted institutions existed for long-term care. Rather, elderly individuals who needed shelter because of incapacity, impoverishment, or family isolation often ended their days in an almshouse. Placed alongside the insane, the inebriated, or the homeless, they were simply categorized as part of the community's most needy recipients. Centuries in the Making 19th Century In the beginning of the nineteenth century, women's and church groups began to establish special homes for the elderly persons. Often concerned that worthy individuals of their own ethnic or religious background might end their days alongside the most despised society, they established—as the founder of Boston's Home for Aged Women (1850). Throughout the 19th century almshouses were a last resort for those who were poor, disabled, and elderly. Residents experienced mistreatment, destitution, and inhumanity. Almshouses continued into the 19th century, until activists sought to remove children, the mentally ill, and the developmentally disabled from all almshouses and increase the number of institutions, hospitals, and asylums for them to reside in. In 1910 the state of Massachusetts, reported that 2,598 persons resided in such asylums. The great majority of these individuals were widowed and single women who had lived their entire lives, or at least a great proportion, as citizens of the state. Despite the name changes and the rosy descriptions that filled the institutions' annual reports, most people hardly looked upon the almshouse as a satisfactory solution to the demands for long-term care for the elderly. By the 1950s, the intent of policymakers to destroy the hated almshouse had clearly succeeded. Most poorhouses had disappeared from the landscape, unable to survive once their inmates no longer received federal annuities. As a result, and due to the lobbying of public hospital associations, Congress amended Social Security to allow federal support to individuals in public facilities. According to investigations of the industry in the 1970s, many of these institutions provided substandard care. Lacking the required medical care, food, and attendants, they were labeled "warehouses" for the old and "junkyards" for the dying by numerous critics. 21st Century In the twenty-first century, nursing homes became a standard form of care for the most aged and incapacitated persons. Nearly 6 percent of older adults are sheltered in residential facilities that provide a wide range of care. While these aging individuals no longer face the horrors of the almshouse, the development of the modern-day industry reflects its historical roots. In establishing monthly annuities for the old and disqualifying all residents of public institutions, the creators of Social Security took direct aim at the despised poorhouse. In shutting the almshouse door, policymakers gave birth to the modern nursing-home industry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almshouse https://www.4fate.org/history.pdf Have a topic request or question for Celeste? Send them over to celestechase@activitydirector.org Next NAPT Class for Activity Director Training December 7th Activity Directors Network was founded in 1996 on the idea that we could help create elderly care that dramatically improved the lives of those we all serve. We envision facilities that feel like homes and that celebrate our resident’s individuality and allows them to live with dignity, purpose and joy. We believe the exchange of education and wisdom between the most talented teachers and passionate students is the way to make an impact. Each and every single one of you are the revolution that is changing everything. Thanks for being a part of The Network. Copyright © 2021 Activity Directors Network, LLC All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2810 US HWY 190 W Ste 100-A9 Livingston, Texas 77351

Memory, Forgetfulness, and Aging: What's Normal and What's Not? In general as we age, we begin to notice and worry about memory and how aging may or may not change our cognitive abilities. For example, we might forget to pay the bills or find ourselves unintentionally leaving a boiling pot of water on the burner. Such instances can be upsetting but are often considered to be “mild forgetfulness” that is often a normal part of aging. Facility Programming What's the difference between normal, age-related forgetfulness and a serious memory problem? When memory related issues prevent the individual from attending to everyday tasks that are required to maintain a self-sufficient independent lifestyle, it may indicate further investigation. Signs may include: Repeating the same questions over and over again Confusion in familiar places Inability to proceed independently from task to task in sequential order Disorientation concerning time, people, and places Mild Cognitive Impairment Some older conditions known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), relate to memory deficits that are not in keeping with common aging related problems. However, individuals with MCI can usually take care of themselves and do their normal activities. MCI may be an early alert warning that points to Alzheimer’s disease, but not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer's. Signs of MCI include: Misplacing or losing things more frequently Not recalling important events or appointments Presenting with “aphasia” (difficulty with word finding) more than other individuals of the same age Diagnosed instances of MCI, are tracked every six to 12 months to document changes in memory and other thinking skills over time. Dementia and Aging I often am asked about Dementia. There is a great deal of confusion on the topic. To be clear, Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Dementia is not in of itself a disease. Instead, it's a group of symptoms caused by other conditions. Dementia is a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment. Many things can cause dementia. It happens when the parts of the brain used for learning, memory, decision making, and language are damaged or diseased. Symptoms include forgetfulness, limited social skills, and thinking abilities so impaired that it interferes with daily functioning. Medications and therapies may help manage symptoms. Some causes of dementia are reversible. While there are different forms of Dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the most common disease associate with Dementia for those over the age 65. There are a number of other diseases and circumstances presenting with dementia affecting both young and old. The most common causes of Dementia include: Degenerative neurological diseases. These include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and some types of multiple sclerosis. These diseases are progressive, get worse over time. Vascular disorders. These conditions affect the blood circulation in the brain. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by car accidents, falls, concussions, etc. More recently presenting in football athletes (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy – CTE). Infections of the central nervous system. These include meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Long-time alcohol or drug use Certain types of hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain. NOTE: Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) occurs within the brain. This typically causes increased pressure inside the skull. Older people may have headaches, double vision, poor balance, urinary incontinence, personality changes, or mental impairment. Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/types-dementia#1 This chart explains some differences between normal signs of aging and Alzheimer's. Have a topic request or question for Celeste? Send them over to celestechase@activitydirector.org Activity Directors Network was founded in 1996 on the idea that we could help create elderly care that dramatically improved the lives of those we all serve. We envision facilities that feel like homes and that celebrate our resident’s individuality and allows them to live with dignity, purpose and joy. We believe the exchange of education and wisdom between the most talented teachers and passionate students is the way to make an impact. Each and every single one of you are the revolution that is changing everything. Thanks for being a part of The Network. Copyright © 2021 Activity Directors Network, LLC All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2010 US HWY 190 W Ste 120 Livingston, Texas 77351

Visit our Newsletter Archives We Proudly Support the APNCC Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center! Heart Valentines Day Pop Up Card Source: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/heart-valentines-day-pop-up-card/ Materials: Scissors Glue Cardstock paper Colored paper Directions Start by folding the cardstock to create a card base. Cut a colored paper with the same size of your card and fold... Click button below for full directions, along with step by step pics! Visit Website FREE Printable Back in the time of the feast of Lupercalia, entrees were understandably quite different. It is said emperors ate exotic things like giraffe and flamingo. We won't be suggesting you serve giraffe here, but we wish to offer inspiration for your foray into Roman foods. Below is a link to more obtainable Roman recipes for you to try with your residents in honer of Valentine's roots. First, let's explore a little bit more about the food culture in Roman times. Roman Flavors Roman food was heavily reliant on fish sauce for its success. Wine, honey, vinegar, oil, and fish sauce are combined to create a balance of sweet, sour, and salty. Sample Roman Banquet Menu Appetizers Jellyfish and eggs Sow's udders stuffed with salted sea urchins Patina of brains cooked with milk and eggs Boiled tree fungi with peppered fish-fat sauce Sea urchins with spices, honey, oil, and egg sauce Main Courses Fallow deer roasted with onion sauce, rue, Jericho dates, raisins, oil, and honey Boiled ostrich with sweet sauce Turtledove boiled in its feathers Roast parrot Dormice stuffed with pork and pine kernels Ham boiled with figs and bay leaves, rubbed with honey, baked in pastry crust Flamingo boiled with dates Desserts Fricassee of roses with pastry Pitted dates stuffed with nuts and pine kernels, fried in honey Hot African sweet-wine cakes with honey A firsthand account of the food served at one of Emperor Nero's "simple" meals. "After a generous rubdown with oil, we put on dinner clothes. We were taken into the next room where we found three couches drawn up and a table, very luxuriously laid out, awaiting us. We were invited to take our seats. Immediately, Egyptian slaves came in and poured ice water over our hands. The starters were served. On a large tray stood a donkey made of bronze. On its back were two baskets, one holding green olives, and the other black. On either side were dormice, dipped in honey and rolled in poppy seed. Nearby, on a silver grill, piping hot, lay small sausages. As for wine, we were fairly swimming in it." - Gaius Petronius (27-66), advisor to Emperor Nero in matters of luxury and extravagance. Source: https://delishably.com/world-cuisine/ancient-food-rome Six Ancient Roman Recipes 1943 Whitmore Chocolate Ad Activity Directors Network was founded in 1996 on the idea that we could help create elderly care that dramatically improved the lives of those we all serve. We envision facilities that feel like homes and that celebrate our resident’s individuality and allows them to live with dignity, purpose and joy. We believe the exchange of education and wisdom between the most talented teachers and passionate students is the way to make an impact. Each and every single one of you are the revolution that is changing everything. Thanks for being a part of The Network. Copyright © 2021 Activity Directors Network, LLC All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2010 US HWY 190 W Ste 120 Livingston, Texas 77351

View this email in your browser Celebrating you and all the hard wok you do is the perfect way to kickstart 2021! You have likely worked harder, longer and stretched yourself thinner than ever before this past year. You nailed it and now it is time to reflect upon your accomplishments and do a little celebrating! How Do You Celebrate Activity Professional's Week? One idea is to educate others about the profession and to build a sense of camaraderie and teamwork throughout the facility through this knowledge. Other ways include fun and career building activities. Some ideas you can use to accomplish this will be the focus of today's Activity Corner! *Activity Idea Career Swap A great way to educate others about what you do, is to let them do it! Celebrate Activity Professional's Day by having some volunteers from your facility step in and host each of your planned activities for the day. Directions: Have co-workers volunteer to host one of your planned activities for the day. You can decide how many activities to swap for based on the type of activity and willingness. During the planned activity, you will take over their job while they host your activity! Be sure and let everyone know beforehand. It will certainly peek everyone's interest and may even garner a higher attendance rate for the activity! Certification Checklist Why not celebrate by advancing in your career? You may be closer to being eligible for national certification than you even realize! Becoming Nationally Board Certified with APNCC (formerly known as NAAPCC) puts your career in the fast lane and provides opportunities for growth that are actually within reach. “ The industry’s mark of excellence recognized by CMS.” Step-by-Step Guide to Get Certified” for APNCC Board Certification Step 1 - Prepare Your Documentation Depending on your Pathway, you will need to gather corresponding documents to submit with your application. Below are some helpful forms for this purpose: Determine Your Pathway and Complete Your APNCC Application: • APNCC Pathways • APNCC Applications NOTE: If you have a college degree you may be able to apply for Advanced Activity Professional Board Certification. Check your credentials closely to determine where you fall. • Activity Experience Hours Verification Form Continuing Education You will have received your Live CE Continuing Education certificates throughout your NAPT Course by participating in Live Chats. If you are not enrolled in the NAPT course, you will need to obtain this through APNCC approved sources. Collect them together to send with your application. High School Diploma/GED/College Degree Your Pathway will determine which of these documents will need to be presented with your application. Determine what is needed and get a copy on hand. NAPT Course Certificate of Completion This will be awarded to you upon your successful completion of your course. It features a Seal of Authenticity from Activity Directors Network and will be signed by your instructor. *Note: THE NAPT course is not required for all certification pathways. For example, if you have a Bachelor's Degree you will not need to take the NAPT course. Once you have your application completed and your documentation together, you will then mail everything to APNCC at: APNCC 17840 Weymouth Avenue Parker, CO 80134-7775 USA Step 2 - Register for Your APNCC Board Certification Exam Visit https://apncc.org and register for your exam. You will then receive a code that you can enter when you are ready to begin. The exam is one and a half hours long and 150 questions. Educate Using Signage The truth is, many people don't know or understand exactly what it is that an Activity Professional does. This can be somewhat frustrating, but it also leaves a giant opportunity for us to educate others and motivate deeper working relationships. A good way to educate is with signage. Take time to create some bulletin board displays that offer information about the profession. To get you started, print out the FREE printable sign below. Include this on your bulletin board or offer as a handout during Activity Professional's Week. Want More? We have created a beautiful set of 6 Decorative Signs which highlight the importance of the Activity Professional and the ways they enhance the quality of life for each resident. Scroll down to purchase your pack and get ready for Activity Professional's Week! Print FREE Sign Activity Directors Network was founded in 1996 on the idea that we could help create elderly care that dramatically improved the lives of those we all serve. We envision facilities that feel like homes and that celebrate our resident’s individuality and allows them to live with dignity, purpose and joy. We believe the exchange of education and wisdom between the most talented teachers and passionate students is the way to make an impact. Each and every single one of you are the revolution that is changing everything. Thanks for being a part of The Network. Copyright © 2021 Activity Directors Network, LLC All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2010 US HWY 190 W Ste 120 Livingston, Texas 77351