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This recognition will take place May 9-15 and will honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing care facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during these unprecedented times. Over the past year, despite the challenges of the current pandemic, skilled care centers and their staff have shown an incredible and steadfast commitment to providing quality care and ensuring the safety of their residents. This recognition does not come as a surprise given the daunting challenges that our front line “essential workers” have had to overcome to ensure the safety and well being of our residents. The week will focus on the collective efforts and the amazing strength and dedication of those who worked tirelessly each and every day to care for and protect the frail, elderly, and disabled adults in long term care. With each new season comes new beginnings, and together we will get to a place and time of healing. Why is it Important to Recognize Milestones Nevertheless, celebrating milestones along the path towards our goals is a crucial component of engagement. It helps honor the hard work folks are putting in, recognizing achieved goals, and simply creates a more positive environment. The intent to offer time to recognize these areas sprinkles coveted “positivity” throughout the facility for both residents and staff members. Milestones, whether personal or work-related, become inspiring memories that are needed to renew our energy supply and shouldn't go unrecognized. Celebrating achievements is a way for us to see how far we've come and can serve as our motivation should another challenge present itself. When recognition brings attention to efforts having a direct impact on the success of a company, it motivates staff and contributes to a sense of united celebratory reward that values the staff and honors resident well being. It also contributes greatly to meaningful organizational purpose. Programming Ideas Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967, NSNCW, formerly known as National Nursing Home Week, recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s frail, elderly, and disabled. This coming May, celebrate all members of your community and participate on social media using the hashtag #NSNCW. Below is a list of general activity ideas taken from the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living: NOTE: At the time of publishing, care centers were following social distancing and other restrictions due to COVID-19. Please be sure to plan your activities through an infection prevention and control lens and modify them based on the latest guidelines as needed. Celebrate Together coordinates interactive games and raffles. Decorate and provide food to staff in celebration and appreciation of their efforts. If safe and guidelines allow, invite family members to share a meal with residents. Plan a themed dress-up day or a dance contest and offer prizes. Create Together Engage residents in creative art projects focused on the theme of the four seasons and togetherness. Coordinate a project that allows everyone to participate such as a fingerprint or button tree. Display all artwork in a “gallery” and invite staff members on a “gallery walk”. Reaching Out Together Find ways to connect to the wider community. Ask loved ones, members of the community, and/or local school groups to send feel-good notes, drawings, or video messages for residents and staff. Work with residents to create signs and messages of their own to share with loved ones. Enjoy Music Together Plan a concert or talent show and invite residents and staff with musical talents to share their gifts by playing or singing. Create personalized playlists for residents with dementia through the Music & Memory program. Music is the universal language and a great way to foster connections. https://www.ahcancal.org/Education-Events/Documents/NSNCW/NSNCW_2021_FINAL.pdf?csf=1&e=8EmyYh Have a topic request or question for Celeste? Send them over to celestechase@activitydirector.org Enroll Now 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