Lynn56 0 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 How many activity directors work on weekends? I looked at a parttime position that was 2 weekdays and all weekends. The weekends are to be used for outings. Since most places are so crowded then - that didn't make sense to me. Also they wanted someone with a van of their own to transport people. That didn't seem safe to me. Salary offered was quite low as well. There is no Activity Director at all in the facility. Just didn't make alot of sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat8231 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi Lynn - Sounds like the facility does not have enough money to buy a van or is it just plain cheap and trying to save money by using someone else's van. That does not make any sense whatsoever. I wouldn't let anyone use my van (if I had one) without them paying for gas, wear and tear and most important FULL coverage for several million. You have no idea what a resident or other staff member would do if they were in an accident. In fact, the more I'm thinking about this van thing the more I think I wouldn't do it at all. As for working weekends. Think alot of us did at one time or another but this facility sounds like they are trying to get the most for their money (as little as it is). I would have to pass on this place. The only thought in my mind right now is if they are that cheap what is it like for the residents? Is the place clean, properly staffed etc. Good luck in you search for a job. Pat8231 8-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawn 0 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I do not work weekends, I have my assistance that does saturdays and church on sundays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana 0 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi Lynn, sounds like the facility is a lawsuit waiting to happen with the ride situation! Glad you didn't go for it! As department head, I work one weekend every three months, as rotation with other department heads. Of course, taking off two days during that week to make up the weekend. I never go over my 40 - I make it equal out in the end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashonda 0 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 Hey, I have to work weekend manager on duty about once every other month. That is for the whole facility. As far as weekends go, I have part time assistants that work and they rotate which makes them work every other weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 :-) When I was an Activity Director I chose to work weekends. There are more family members that come in on weekends. I would take the residents I worked with on an Sunday evening bus ride, I would have entertainment on Sunday evenings, Some Sunday evenings I would take the residents out to dinner and to see a sunset on the beach. I would also hold big events on Saturday afternoon. If I were still an Activity Director I would still be working weekends if the Administrator would let me. Weekends are realy slow and laid back for the residents we work with and when family members come in to visit and see their family member partisipating and having fun they are very pleased and satisfied to see their family member happy. This is also a good marketing tool for the facility. Because at times we do have tours on weekends and when perspective new residents tour the facility and see activities happening on weekends this is impressive and it may also be the selling point of their move in! I am single and my daughters are grown and on their own that is why I worked weekends and I loved it. We did arts and crafts on weekends, bingo, played games, exercised, cooked, had socials, entertainment, bus rides, watched movies. This also helped so than when the other staff came in on Monday morning they would not be bombarded with the residents comming up to them and saying that there was nothing to do over the weekend. Also it is easier on the person to keep the residents active during the week if they keep active on the weekends. OK thats all for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris 0 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 Hi all, My facility has activities 7 days a week. I have an activity aide in the SCU for 10 hours on Saturday and Sunday. I myself work on Saturdays doing large group activities. our residents are used to having something to do every day. We tried dropping weekend activities but residents didn't seem to like the idea. Due to census I have dropped full time activities on sundays but we do have church. saturdays are laid back and the residents are soo different. we have a monthly horseshoe pitching tournament with competition every saturday morning and a champion every month. This is one of our residents favorite activities-whether they play or watch. Also have a facility sing-a-long in the afternoon. Saturday is also a very good time to catch up on charting. It is much easier to get a chart when OT, PT, ST, Drs. etc...all seem to need them at the same time. On the van thing that sounds like a very big liability. our facility has its own van and also a bus that is shared between us and our 2 sister facilities. Each facility having their own driver. we schedule a month in advance if something comes up that we would need our bus other than our scheduled weekly trip. Good luck to all and have fun :-) kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sherry Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Lynn, I am an activity assistant that will be moving on to director in the next couple of weeks , no more weekends I hope . Right now I work only weekends and we our residents really enjoy the activities. I really think bingo is the favorite! WE also have "cooking school" on Saturday mornings and a Coffee shop and Good News program on Sunday mornings before church services. When we have activities that require transportation we rent a van and driver from our local senior center. I live in a very small community and the work for a small privately owned facility. Our wages are quite low also but comparable to other jobs in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy 0 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 My staff usually rotate weekends. I fill in when there are vacations, and then I also do manager on duty. I also take off the those days, sometimes it isn't until a few weeks later, but I do take it back It seems quite dangerous to take you own car/van for outings. It has to put the facility at high risk. I was at one job where the direcotr prior to me would take one of the residnets shopping with her on errands. When Aministrators changed, that changed as well. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mad Doc Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 Definitely sounds like litigation looniness. My activity assistants each work one weekend a month and if necessary I come in to cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel 4 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 I work monday thru Friday with my assistant working on weekends, I enjoy coming in on my weekends it I have a party planned or a birthday party. Activities I have come to learn is not about getting rich, I get the personal satisfaction of being able to be there for people who maybe sometimes dont have anyone to see. Sometimes working saturday or Sunday is required, if so make sure you take some time out during the week. -Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllucas 0 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Hi, Everybody! :-D I am regularly scheduled to work Monday-Friday. However, like Miguel, I participate in quite a few weekend activities. Many times the Resident Council has some fundraising project going on that I take part in (e.g. operating a food booth at the annual horse show at the county fairgrounds; supervising the annual dog show for the local spay/neuter people; also, parties and special events). Like Miguel said, be sure you get comp time for your weekend efforts. All AD's need adequate rest :pint: . I also work as the weekend supervisor (we call ourselves the "idiot of the weekend" :hammer: ) one weekend every two to three months. Those days are usually 4 hours each from 10:00 to 2:00. Often my husband comes in and volunteers for one or both days. Have fun with your job, Linda Lucas, AD ;-) http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman 0 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 We only work every 5th weekend but we have days off to compesate for that :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhonda 0 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Hello there, I took a contract position after my maternity leave that consists of 2 days during the week and saturday and sunday. I thought that it would be good if my husband took care of our baby on the weekends while I worked. The pay is ok. Although now after a year and a half , I am ready to go to back monday- friday. Rhonda from Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Hello there, I took a contract position after my maternity leave that consists of 2 days during the week and saturday and sunday. I thought that it would be good if my husband took care of our baby on the weekends while I worked. The pay is ok. Although now after a year and a half , I am ready to go to back monday- friday. Rhonda from Canada Rhonda, if you husband will help to baby-sit then you can continue working that way you are doing it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhonda 0 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 Hi, I hate working weekends now. I have no family life this way. Rhonda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchris 1 Report Share Posted November 28, 2004 Weekends are aconstant for me, however, I have learned to deal with it through delegation and time management. My situation may be unique in that we have activities 7 days a week, per my choice. So I went into the situation prepared. Since I go to school, my boss also gives me comp time to make up for it. bigchris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJackson 0 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 :pint: I work weekend manager one saturday every six weeks, unless there is a holiday, then i will have the facility schedule that day as my weekend manager day. Other than that, i do not work weekends. I have churches that volunteer on sundays, and on saturdays, i have groups that visit every other saturday. the other two saturdays I leave table games, and dominoes out for them. they seem to enjoy this, of course i keep them so busy on the weekdays, they are ready for a rest on the weekends! :hammer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Hi, I hate working weekends now. I have no family life this way. Rhonda :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actpro 0 Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 :-) Hi, I am scheduled to work Mon.- Fri., but I do schedule things on weekends. I have church services, which I have a pastor to come in and do that. Then once a month, have church group that comes in to sing. My Sundays are covered unless I schedule something different. Saturdays, about once a month, I schedule groups to come in and sing. I work those. If I work on weekends, I take off during week. I did have a assistant, she worked once a month on Sat. Now it is just myself. So I take the time off. If you work on weekends, take the time off during week. We all need time to ourselves. Later....actpro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_Cheeseit Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 Hi there I am an Activity Director in Ohio and I do not work weekends. We have a 50 bed facility and I have 5 staff under me. An assistant director, two staff that work mostly day time hours and two part-time school kids who work evenings and Saturdays. We are very fortunate! I have been at this same facility for the last 10 years and in that time the directors before me never worked Saturdays the Assistant or Aides did. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy 0 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 WOW!!!! Can I work in your facility Cheezeit. It seems that they really encourage activities with the amount of staff that you have. Good for you! Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StacieO 0 Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 My facility has Activity Staffing 7 days a week: 8a.m. through 7:45 p.m.! I have to assistants that were hired to work a couple of eves a week & everyother wknd. Saturdays they are here from 1p - 7:45 & Sundays 2:30 - 7:45 p.m. We target the lower functioning residents from 3 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. everyday. We really try to work w/ those "sun-downers". As a facility, we determined those times on the weekends to be the times of need. I have no staffing in the mornings on Sat/Sun, but again, we deteremined that afternoon/early evening was when we were best utilized. We have 4 major functions a year that ALL of my staff are required to work on that Saturday (family picnics, holiday parties, etc). I do come in & work some weekends for special events or in case of being short-staffed, & I really don't mind it, as it's time off during the regular week! It can put a strain on your family situation, depending on what that is. My husband farms, so for 4 or so months of the year, I'm a single parent! :-? As far as a facility requiring YOU to provide transportation for residents, I say NO WAY - no matter how much insurance coverag. That is ridiculous! Stacie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Emily Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Including myself, we have 3 total activity staff members. We each take a weekend to work, Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 9-8. If we work that weekend, we take off two days during the week to make up for it. As director, I end up working 2 weekends a month until we hire another PT Activity Asst. but it ends up being 1x per month and it's kinda nice to have a day or two off during the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stelymun19 0 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Wow it is amazing how I thought that I was the only one dealing with sceduling issues. I truly believe that if we are given federal/state regulations (like nursing has) stating that we should have x amount of staffing for x amount of patients, this would definitely lighten up some of the stress. I work in a 111 bed facility. I have one person working 40 hours in our dementia unit of about 20 residents and then it is me and a part time person trying to meet the needs of the other 91 patients. And really that is only about 3/4 of a person because my days are consumed with meetings, assessments, careplans and all those other little things that come along. Plus I am, Like most of you are, the volunteer coordinator as well. Which I don't ever have time to do any "real" recruitment. This is truly a problem that needs to be recognized on a national and state level. There are a lot of patients who don't have any quality of life because there really is not enough time in a day to go and connect with every single person whether it is a facility of 40 or 100. When there is only one or two people trying to meet the needs of 100 it just won't work unless those who are in the field do something about it. By the way my staff full time staff member works t-s 8:30-5 on our dementia unit, I work 40 hours a week normally 8:30-5 and my part time person works 2 and one half day 8:30-5 and then 8:30-12:30. Residents complain that there are no activities on the weekends and but if I work a weekend they end up getting shorted throughout the week. Also one thing that I am trying to explain to my higher functioning residents is that They do not need me around to lead them in a game of cards, yahtzee, watching a movie, or some of the other activities they like. We started our weekend programing called "resident initiated group activities" I will leave supplies out for those who like to pursue act's and then designate a time and place for the activity to occur. It took awhile for my residents to get use to but it is showing some improvement. Good luck for any of those I might have helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.