mbkemp 0 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 We had our survey last week. It was harder than in the past. I know they are coming up with a "new" type of survey for next year with more regulations. anyway, I got tagged for "individualized activities", which I do as best I can, considering I am the only AD in the 100 bed LTC facility. My tag came about because of one resident in particular, she is originally from Hungry, but speaks English and understands English, which I noted in my charting. I do 1:1 with her 2x wkly. One of our surveyors had a flat tire on the interstate at the end of day1 of survey, my Hungarian residents grandson happened to be the one who stopped to help her, they struck up a conversation while having her tire changed and at the end of the conversation she (the surveyor) told the grandson that she would give his grandmother "a special look". Next day I get called in to speak with this surveyor and she raked me over the grills about this resident, saying "would it hurt you to learn a little Hungarian?" "next year on her chart, I want to see "resident is greeted in native language each day". Then, she started in on indivdualized activities and how I should let the residents do activties that pertain to their "lifes work" before coming to the N.H. She brought up a resident who was a beauty shop ower before placement, should I let her go around cutting peoples hair? so, if I get a little man who use to be a surgeon, should I let him do surgery on someone???? This surveyor struck a deal on the side of the road and was determined to "get me" on something. I understand that state regs. are about to have big changes as far as Activities, but this is a little ridiculous! or is it just me being bitter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieS 0 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 It would be interesting to know if the resident actually complained to the surveyor about no one speaking to her in Hungarian or if the idea came solely from the surveyor. And if the surveyor is assuming this resident wants to converse in her native language, she could be off-base. Many of our older citizens who came to America from other countries took great pride in learning the customs and language of their new home and preferred to converse in English as much as possible. In any event, you'll want to determine the resident's preferences before you enroll in Hungarian 101 at your local community college next semester! As someone who has had a father (always a loner) and a mother-in-law (who tended to be reclusive) in assisted living and LTC a number of years ago, I applaud the new emphasis on individualized activities. Neither one of my loved ones were the bingo, birthday party, large group activity type and as a result there was little of interest for them when in a facility. But be careful not to take "life's work" activities too literally. The beauty shop owner could perhaps volunteer to help give manicures (no clipping, perhaps just remove polish), facials, remind other resident's of hair appts., help keep nail polishes organized in the activity room, etc. depending on her abilities. If she spends more time in her room, she could be alerted to make-over type programs (What Not to Wear) on TV or regularly have someone bring her beauty or hairstyling magazines. A former school teacher might enjoy helping to keep attendance at activities or assist in passing out craft supplies. A history teacher would be interested in President's Day activities and could possibly help lead or assist in discussions about the history of our country. One resident I knew a few years ago was a graduate of Julliard, passionate about classical music, a former church organist and accomplished pianist. After suffering a stroke, he could no longer play, refused to even try the portable keyboard his family brought him because he had lost his ability to play well, but he would faithfully watch (and thoroughly enjoy!) an organ recital program on TV several times a week and read any biographies on classical composers. Never saw him at parties, bingo,etc, but he was able to do what HE wanted. But obviously, all these indiviualized activities take more time which means more staff and I really wish surveyors (and administrators) would be more mindful of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanGuy23 2 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 Hi Katie What you said about ideas for a resident's individualized activities is very nice. Reinforcing those past activities currently is great. This is why the initial activity assessment is so vital because we get the residents past and current hobbies and a good background of the resident. Always a good thing to go back and check those assessments. As for learning a new language I know that is not easy. I actually speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently so that is a blessing especially for our residents who speak those languages. I can easily communicate with them but I know how difficult it is to have a resident who speaks a language and you aren't able to speak their native language. LTC facilities are becoming more and more culturally diverse so it is good to know a second language and hopefully it can come in handy. I would think it would be just fine if you document that a resident who may be from a different country speaks and understands English then I don't see where State should have a problem because you are documenting that they speak English. Hang in there MBKEMP and don't let this get you down. Be encouraged. Again good ideas Katie. OceanGuy23/ActivityMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbkemp 0 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 well, this was not a complaint made by the resident or her grandson (by the way the grandson, does not speak hungarian at all) The resident when she does speak, speaks in english. but, hungarian or english she speaks very little of either. I have learned a few basic words in hungarian, she doesn't really answer in either language. This was a surveyor who wanted to return a favor for a flat tire. I am happy about the new emphasis on individualized activities as well. My mother was in my facility last year for 6 months and I believe all residents should have the same attention, not just bingo and group activities It would be interesting to know if the resident actually complained to the surveyor about no one speaking to her in Hungarian or if the idea came solely from the surveyor. And if the surveyor is assuming this resident wants to converse in her native language, she could be off-base. Many of our older citizens who came to America from other countries took great pride in learning the customs and language of their new home and preferred to converse in English as much as possible. In any event, you'll want to determine the resident's preferences before you enroll in Hungarian 101 at your local community college next semester! my facility is not very accomdating to activities, there is no activity area other than the dining room, which means I have to work my activities around meals and clean up time after meals, but the surveyors say "that's not our problem, you must have activities going all day long" "there's too much down time". My facility expects too much from one person, roombounds, all day activities, parties, holidays, 1:1's, outings, shopping for personal items for the residents, manicures, religeous services, resident council........the list goes on and on and lets not forget the paperwork and God forbid you have any overtime, it must be done in 40 hrs. a week. I agree with you that state and administrators should be mindful of this fact. However, the Owners will never justify me having an assistant. As someone who has had a father (always a loner) and a mother-in-law (who tended to be reclusive) in assisted living and LTC a number of years ago, I applaud the new emphasis on individualized activities. Neither one of my loved ones were the bingo, birthday party, large group activity type and as a result there was little of interest for them when in a facility. But be careful not to take "life's work" activities too literally. The beauty shop owner could perhaps volunteer to help give manicures (no clipping, perhaps just remove polish), facials, remind other resident's of hair appts., help keep nail polishes organized in the activity room, etc. depending on her abilities. If she spends more time in her room, she could be alerted to make-over type programs (What Not to Wear) on TV or regularly have someone bring her beauty or hairstyling magazines. A former school teacher might enjoy helping to keep attendance at activities or assist in passing out craft supplies. A history teacher would be interested in President's Day activities and could possibly help lead or assist in discussions about the history of our country. One resident I knew a few years ago was a graduate of Julliard, passionate about classical music, a former church organist and accomplished pianist. After suffering a stroke, he could no longer play, refused to even try the portable keyboard his family brought him because he had lost his ability to play well, but he would faithfully watch (and thoroughly enjoy!) an organ recital program on TV several times a week and read any biographies on classical composers. Never saw him at parties, bingo,etc, but he was able to do what HE wanted. But obviously, all these indiviualized activities take more time which means more staff and I really wish surveyors (and administrators) would be more mindful of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieS 0 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 This is strange, but in mbkemps's 2nd post my post was quoted and there are several sentences in that quote that are not part of my original post! The section "my facility is not very accomodating to activities......the owners will never justify me having an assistant" were not my words. They were also not part of either mbkemp's two posts or OceanGuy's post. Hmmm....wonder where these 'imposter sentences' came from? Perhaps the work of the Mysterious Message Board Demons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucinda 0 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 This is strange, but in mbkemps's 2nd post my post was quoted and there are several sentences in that quote that are not part of my original post! The section "my facility is not very accomodating to activities......the owners will never justify me having an assistant" were not my words. They were also not part of either mbkemp's two posts or OceanGuy's post. Hmmm....wonder where these 'imposter sentences' came from? Perhaps the work of the Mysterious Message Board Demons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sulmer Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 It would be interesting to know if the resident actually complained to the surveyor about no one speaking to her in Hungarian or if the idea came solely from the surveyor. And if the surveyor is assuming this resident wants to converse in her native language, she could be off-base. Many of our older citizens who came to America from other countries took great pride in learning the customs and language of their new home and preferred to converse in English as much as possible. In any event, you'll want to determine the resident's preferences before you enroll in Hungarian 101 at your local community college next semester! As someone who has had a father (always a loner) and a mother-in-law (who tended to be reclusive) in assisted living and LTC a number of years ago, I applaud the new emphasis on individualized activities. Neither one of my loved ones were the bingo, birthday party, large group activity type and as a result there was little of interest for them when in a facility. But be careful not to take "life's work" activities too literally. The beauty shop owner could perhaps volunteer to help give manicures (no clipping, perhaps just remove polish), facials, remind other resident's of hair appts., help keep nail polishes organized in the activity room, etc. depending on her abilities. If she spends more time in her room, she could be alerted to make-over type programs (What Not to Wear) on TV or regularly have someone bring her beauty or hairstyling magazines. A former school teacher might enjoy helping to keep attendance at activities or assist in passing out craft supplies. A history teacher would be interested in President's Day activities and could possibly help lead or assist in discussions about the history of our country. One resident I knew a few years ago was a graduate of Julliard, passionate about classical music, a former church organist and accomplished pianist. After suffering a stroke, he could no longer play, refused to even try the portable keyboard his family brought him because he had lost his ability to play well, but he would faithfully watch (and thoroughly enjoy!) an organ recital program on TV several times a week and read any biographies on classical composers. Never saw him at parties, bingo,etc, but he was able to do what HE wanted. But obviously, all these indiviualized activities take more time which means more staff and I really wish surveyors (and administrators) would be more mindful of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sulmer Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Hi, I get in trouble for my Unit Manager if I havr too many Individualized activities. We had a survey in mid May. I was kind of disappointed that the staff were not asked questions about activities when I was not there, or how they help get residents to activities. I have had several residents that spoke other languages beside English. I ask them to teach me a phrase. i try to use this when I visit them, but I usually do not pronounce a word correctly. The resident laughs at me and tries once aggain to help me say it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavenstar 0 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 I would like to add that I showed my administrator your message and we were both floored! How dare the surveyor make you speak another language (other than English!) What country are we living in? Also, I come from a HUD facility that is very diverse, I can count 10 different languages spoken here. We only have to translate for the languages that take up more than 5% of our population- and then we only have to translate if it is requested-- definitely not if they are documented as knowing English! And we definitely do not need to be the ones translating! They bring their kids or friends to translate for them or we have a few residents that can translate as volunteers as well. I would seriously consider going above your surveyor's head and speaking with someone else who can override that decision! It is wrong! And no, it wouldn't hurt you to learn other languages, but it should not be part of your job unless you are getting paid to do so-like a translators salary in addition to your regular salary. Also, would you do that from everyone in your facility that was born in another country? That would be discrimination if you didn't and I would point that out as well. I am getting off my soapbox now! Thanks and good luck angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchris 1 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I don't want to tick anyone off, but I am going to play a little devil's advocate. I do this as an activity director/consultant/and guy that likes to play devils advocate. I am at a new facility and I am basically bulding fresh. I was challenged ( and still am with 2 ) by a handful of non english speaking residents in the facility. I heard some comments that were not nice to the resident so there was a spark for me to do something. I already new some "basic" spanish so i was OK with that. But I also recruited some volunteers to come in daily and talk with the residents. I am still challenged with Farsi and Vietnamese, but we will get there. I tell that story for this. THe comment that I heard was basically racist about the fact that we had to "deal" with these residents. I got mad. But it also got me thinking.... How would you feel if you were in a foreign place and could not speak???? You couldn't tell anyone that you were hungry or cold or hello??? I talk so much, I would go crazy!!!! What I am trying to say, without getting off track. Is that we should provide for all of the residents, no matter who they are or what thier ability. The regulations and I hope that the surveyors, have this in mind when they ask you about your foreign residents and what you do. I know that it can sometimes be a hassle to change/learn/modify, for one or two people. But we do what we do, and that is part of what we do..... Make sense? BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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