Guest Guest_Kathy Report Share Posted January 1, 2006 I will be starting my training in a couple of weeks and was wondering what do Activity Directors wear? Are scrubs usually worn? I've already gathered lots of info. on this site. Thanks to all! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllucas 0 Report Share Posted January 1, 2006 Hi, Kathy! :-) Some facilities allow scrubs and some do not. I like to wear a decent pair of dress slacks and blouse with a smock jacket. Shoes are usually a light weight dress shoe or a comfortable pair of Nike's. The important things to remember are comfort, flexibility and professionalism. Dresses and skirts are not recommended because of the many bending, stooping and stretching activities you will need to do. Also, you don't want your underwear to show through your clothing (the male residents will love it...the female residents will gossip about it). Sounds old fashion, but you are dealing largely with the elderly. Hope this helps you out, Linda Lucas, AD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tinki Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 I agree with Linda, I always wore khaki's or slacks for pants. Button downs, or polo for shirts. Tennis shoes with the khaki's and comfortable pair of dress shoes with slacks. Remember you will be moving around tons and possibly getting dirty, don't wear anything to restricting or expense! Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeliquepache 1 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 My place we wear jeans and t-shirt and nike's. Some of the AD at the other sites of ours wear slacks and scrubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsbag 0 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Our RA's wear scrubs, and are easily identifiable. We aren't able to wear denim, and must dress in professional attire....dress slacks, sweaters or blazers and for special events, dresses or skirts. I go for a tailored, but comfortable look. Good question.... Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AggieTiff 0 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dress for the occasion. I am pretty unpredictable at other times... Example, for New Years Eve and the day of our Christmas Parties I wore shiney dressy outfits to get the residents and staff excited. I always get complimented when I dress up and the residents love it, esp the Alzheimer's residents. They seem to like the "flash". Most of the time it is business casual unless there is a call for more professional attire. If I am out in the community with marketing or volunteer recruiting, I dress as the people at the meeting would. In the summer I tend to be more casual with capris and tastful sundresses. In my last job, it was very casual....I even wore PJ bottom styled pants. That group was a very hip retirement community. I dress respectful to the population. We are not allowed to wear scrubs, at all. Big NO NO. I hardly ever wear makeup anymore. I used to wear alot of makeup but the residents seem to like me without...,and that is OK by me...LOL. Tiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilkesrose 0 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 I wear comfortable, business casual most of the time. But for special occasions, I bring out the glitz and the flash! I can pretty much wear anything that the guests would not find objectionable. That's my rule---not the company. I have seen women come to work with their cleavage (and more) hanging out and I just think it's disrespectuful. Low cut belongs in a bar, not at work. If I wear a skirt, it's to the ankles or just above the ankles. No high heels-------it's so hard on the feet running up and down the halls in heels! LOL I observed today that some of the Special Care Unit guests have an aversion to anyone in scrubs. If the Med Techs can't get them to do what they need them to do, they always page me. I have thought about this for some time now. And today, I think I hit upon the problem. They don't like uniforms. I was really relishing the notion that I have a special effect on the dementia patients until I realized it was because I am in street clothes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_Kathy Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Thank you all for sharing. You all are a great help! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salgal 0 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 I dress as the mood or occasion strikes, most days it's slacks and casual but pretty top, but some days I feel like being a girl and if I'm not going to be out doing the activites on the floor then i will wear a dress and low heeled shoes, We have casual dress Fridays so I can wear jeans or overalls and of course each month we have a theme day and dress accordorly. It may be Pajama Day and everyone wears their PJ's and our Administrator cooks breakfast for everyone. This month it's Western day and we will have a Chuck Wagon lunch, Cowboy Poetry and Wheelchair Rodeo. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_Bonnie Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 I just got a job at an AL and I was wondering what everyone wears to work? I dont have a dress code so I want to see what works bests Thanks, in advance Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat8231 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Hi Bonnie, I started out wearing my everyday clothing, slacks and a blouse/t-shirt type items. Then after spilling ice cream, coffee, chocholate syrup and tossing out my clothes, went to scrubs!! I have them in every color and print so I can mix & match everyday. I even got socks to match. Oh and don't forget CLOGS!! They are the best when you are on your feet all day. Going to scrubs was the best thing I ever did!! Good luck with your new position. Pat 8-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_AggieTiff Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 I always dress for the occasion, at work or at leisure (I have decided that my work is the best leisure I have...LOL). Also, it might depend on the facility. I have used to work in a retirement apartment community and we were very laid back....I wore shorts to work, even. Now I am still laid back and my outfits depent on what I have planned. Most days I wear capris, polo shirt, and sandles.....I dress like our care staff however w/o the apron. It is easier for me since I work very closely with the residetns. I think our Exec Director understands this. She has never said anything about my atire. If corporate is coming in....or we are having something special, of course I would dress differently. Also....holiday....I dress differently. I have also worked in environments where I would not dream of wearing sandles and capris....skirts, suits, and nylons....but that place was a bit more "stuffy" and not as much fun :-D Tiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MEO Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I am in a hospital so at first I wore "nice stuff". Now I wear scrubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllucas 0 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Hi, Bonnie! :-) I'm like everyone else. I think it is a good idea to judge the general atmosphere of the facility (formal, casual, etc.). Then you can make your choice of dress. However, you also need to understand the kind of work you must do every day. If you are a department of one and must conduct all of the activities, you need to dress appropriately (usually not a dress). I do a lot of bending over, stretching high, stooping...and trying to modestly deal with a skirt is just impossible. So keep it real when you decide what to wear. My general attire is slacks, a shell, a smock, knee-highs and Nike's. This configuration pretty well meets every situation I encounter. Sincerely, Linda Lucas, AD http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I wear hawaiian shirts. Would you rather go to an event with someone in business dress or someone in a hawaiian shirt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Hi, I as well as my staff wear colored jeans & a variety of different type shirts. Shorts & Open toe shoes are not allowed. we wear tenny shoes pr any that are comfortable. The acception to this rule is if we are going on an outing , say fishing or the lake then we wear shorts. On special events, holidays we wear shirts to get the resdients in the staff in the mood. Sometimes we dress say western if we are having a western day etc. I tried changing the dress code at the request of my assistance, Black pants/jeans & Polo Shirts (I ordered some with Activties on them). After about a two weeks we went back to the colored jeans & shirts. Basically we wear anything that is comfortable but looks acceptable. Oh yea T-shirts were fine but they couldn't have any writiing on them, no holes in jeans, or no low-rise jeans. the unwritten policy was dress age appopriate & job appopriate. The Administrator has never said a word about how we dress. She has seen us on our knees looking for a Bingo Ball, getting stuff spilled on us, glitter, glue on us, climbing on ladders to decorate or get a balloon etc. Hope this helps. Pennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle 0 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 We have also tried wearing various clothing to work, ranging from business dress to jeans. We finally settled on wearing scrubs-they are comfortable and work well for the various things we do daily, such as looking for the lost bingo ball and working in the garden. We wear a solid color that identifies our department to the residents, their families and other visitors. Upon orientation to the facility, the residents receive a list of which color each department wears so they can easily locate whomever they need. We do dress up for special events like the Mother's Day Tea and other holidays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Theanna Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 (edited) I guess I have a totally different outlook on what should be worn. I ask those in my department not to wear scrubs, we need to dress with comfort but also look professional. It is hard enough for others to take our jobs seriously and by wearing scrubs it makes us fit in with everyone else. Aslo, think of your residents, when wearing scrubs, they think you are nursing or aides and I am trying to get us away from that. You can still wear nice things and get your job done too. Many complain how we don't receive the pay that we should or the help that we need. If they're going to take us seriously, it needs to start within our own department. Good luck on making your decission. Sincerely, Theanna Holland A.D. Edited August 19, 2006 by Theanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystal 0 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 8-) I work in a nursing & rehab center and I wear scrubs to work on the days I have to drive the van. It makes it to were I can get around better. The other days I wear Black scrub pants with a pink stripe down the side and a pink scrub shrit with a black stripe on it. The days I way meets I have to wear dress clothes. Always remember to have fun with your job. When we have special parties I dress up for that day in clothes to match the party theme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneyel 0 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Well, I think I am in the "anti-scrub" club. Here are the reasons. My resident population for the most part have at least some degree of dementia from, typical aging, mild, moderate , to severe. When Residents encounter and interact with CNA's, Nurses, PT, Speech for the most part they are reminded of everything they cannot do for themselves. The 'SCRUBS", if you will, are a visual cue or reminder that these are the staff who are going to keep them alive. I feel that Recreation Staff should dress in an everyday, easy, relaxed professional way. After all, we are the folks who remind them to "Keep Living", keeping them plugged into their former selves. They need to encounter as many people on a regular basis who dress like folks in the "outside world". In some ways I feel the "scrubs" make for dividing the community into " US " and/vs. "THEM" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mignyd 0 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Hi , I work in a 102 bed LTC facility and I am one of a three person recreation department in CT. We wear professional but casual attire. We try to match our activity so I have been known to come into work dressed as a cowgirl, a harlequin clown and even Frank Sinatra but for the most part it's no jeans or sneakers or shorts (even on our outside picnic days) and we also do not wear scrubs so we are not confused with the nursing staff. I have been mistaken for administration because of my professional plain clothes and big smile but never for nursing. It seems to work for the residents, family and visitors and we are happy not to have to wear a uniform like other departments (i.e. occupational and physical therapy or hospitality). Anyone else out there from CT??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizncg8r 0 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Hi there, I am the AD for 120 bed LTC. I also belong to the no scrubs club. I to believe that the residents see enough people in scrubs and that I am the "breath of fresh air" as some of the residents call me. I wear cotten pants m-th with a shirt. Nothing showing. On Fridays we can wear jeans or capri's. I wear a scourt. (Florida). I do wear differnt clothing for themed days. You ought of seen my roaring 20's outfit. I have fun with my clothing. For the heck of it I dressed the other day in a 60's 70's out fit with matching make up. The residents loved it and the Administrator loved it too. I was the talk of the building. Anything to make people smile and have a good time (with in reason). Hope this helps. Tracy L Marsteller AD Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenHenry 0 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 I think it depends upon the facility's culture. I have tried both----dressing in scrubs and as a professional. I went to scrubs because I got sick of my nice suits, skirts, shirts and slacks looking the worse for wear. I am now going to maybe wear khaki pants, nice colored polo shirts with a cute logo on them (I am creating one) and keep a blazer in the office for meetingsetc. Lately, I have been feeling that I need a "middle ground"---I want to be comfortable, but polished, trendy. So I will try this new look for a while. Wish me luck!------Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_AggieTiff Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 The company I work for has a "no scrub" policy and we extend that to EVERYONE who works in our communities, even home health and hospice who go from building to building. I have seen one of the male home health nurses changing his scrub shirt for a polo at the stop light....before coming into the community. I undertand why one would want to wear scrubs, my mom runs a child care center and they wear them....but I undertand the reason not to wear them, too. We think of this community as their home....so we dress as a guest in thier home would dress... our nurses do just fine in polos and khakis..... every place has different outlook on things. Just like you have to "know your residents" you have to know the community....try to fit in and still be able to do your job with a smile, no matter what you wear....it is what is on the inside that will bring the residetns to you, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 For years we have as activities professionals have fought to reconized as just that professionals.. wearing scrubs and shorts - does not look professional My administrator would fall over if I came to work in shorts and sandals.. remember we have work hard to be treated professional and equal with other dept heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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