Getting Other Departments Involved

[kelkat 0]

I have only been an activity director for 6 weeks. I would like to know if any of you have trouble getting other departments to work together with you on getting the residents to activities?

 

My DON and ADON both whole heartedly agree that all the residents need to be in activities. However, they do not want to push the charge nurses or aides to make sure residents are getting involved.

 

They all act like the activity department is its own little segment and it should not involve others.

 

My administrator wants the activity program to big a big hoopla and I do too. We only have 4-7 residents (out of 70) attend activites. This is so sad and I am not sure I can change it without cooperation.

 

Anyone else have these problems? If so, how do you handle it?

 

Thanks,

Robin

[Tracy3906 0]

Hi! I'm new here to this forum, and this job. I am so excited about it too!

 

I'm in my 3rd week in this and see that getting other depts involved is going to be a huge challenge. My plan is to win them over with kindness. I got some stationery and everytime I see an aide or someone assisting a resident in this way, I'm going to praise them by note. I'm also going to see about getting some coupons to local restaurants for free ice cream, pizza, etc. to pass out to them for being a part of our department.

 

That's my plan. I haven't begun it yet. But maybe that can give you some ideas too?

 

Tracy

[lkelley 0]

This seems to be a common problem at a lot of facilities, being new to the job probably doesn’t help. You need to try to befriend the CNA’s so they will help you with getting the residents to the activities. You might try answering a call light for the CNA to see if the resident needs something that you could help with, this frees up time for the CNA. If you plan a party or cooking event for the residents plan to share leftovers with the CNA’s. You might try asking their opinion of an activity idea. One idea that I think is great is to purchase a gift card monthly or weekly to give out to the staff that helps get residents to the activities. For every resident that the staff brings they get their name in the drawing. You can use gift cards for restaurants, movie tickets, etc. Ask their opinion to see what they would like to see in the drawing. You will have to budget for it and you wouldn’t want to use anything to expensive but it is amazing how quickly someone will help out if there is something in it for them.

[Pennie 26]

As a vertran in activities this is a common problem at most all facilities -- I have done the prizes for aid that brings most res. to activities in a certain period of time, I have always shared left over food, I have hoseted parties especially for them, I have praised them, I have announced over the PA specail recognization for aides, done pat on the back boards, done inservices & spoken to admin, don & adon etc.. It works for a while & it seems like it is always the same aides who bring residents to activities & picks them up (they even do this w/o a reward) They really care about their residents & want them to be active. But when state walks in the door every aid brings every resident to all activies (surprise). I finally came to understand that I can't do it all by myself, I try to get as many of the resdients as possible to activites but if I unable to get them all (& I can't) then I write on the participation sheets & in progress notes on the resdients chart: Res ws not out of bed, not assisted to the activity or whatever the reason is. When state comes into the faciltiy they know that I tried but that nursing didn't help.

It is now written in the FTAG's that all departments are responsible to help residents with activities. So be sure taht you cover you department. It is funnly but after state visited & nursing got written up fpr this it became less of a problem. The don seemed to care if the aides brought them to a activity. Now the rewards/ recognization are what they are suppose to be rewards not bribes.

Really sad too because the preson(s) caught in the middle are our resdients.

[kelkat 0]

I appreciate all the ideas from everyone. It seems we are all in the same boat. However, it is sad the residents are the ones suffering from lack of attendance to activities. I am scheduled to do an in-service for the staff on the importance of activities. I hope this helps a little. I think I will incorporate the incentive program and start covering my tracks on why a resident was not taken to activities. Thank you again for all the advice. Robin

[kanga2647 0]

I have been an activity director full-time for about 10 weeks, so I certainly feel your pain when it comes to getting help from the other staff. We have some staff who will always help me out when I ask them to...but it has taken some time to gain their trust. Sometimes it helps to just sit down and listen to the CNA's and other staff. I have heard stories about the last several Activities Directors, and have kind of pieced together what traits and characteristics the staff liked and didn't like. Ultimately, they have known the residents longer than I have, so when they suggest things that have or have not worked, I really try to take that to heart...the other thing that I have tried to do is help out with the things that I CAN do for them - helping take residents to the dining room so that the CNA's can get people ready, helping to pass trays at lunch for the residents who don't come out, things like that. The "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" really does work, because it shows that you are not asking them to help you when you won't do something for them. Little things go a long way.

 

It will take a little time, but be patient. You are probably not the first person that they have seen come onto the stage, and, depending on the reasons and the circumstances that the last person left under, they are probably a little leary of you. Don't make promises that you aren't willing to keep, and be willing to listen when someone gives you some advice of their own. They usually know what they are talking about!

[eileen 0]

Hi,

I find that most places have a problem with getting the staff involved. I know that food always works where I am. I also take the Residents out to eat once a month at a local resteraunt and I need a CNA to come along. If they are involved with helping activities out then I will ask them to go and help out at the resteraunt and pay for their lunch. It is a great incentive because they can leave the facility and get a free lunch. I notice that I am getting asked by more CNA's now of how they can help and who I need for each activity. Free lunch and getting out of work is great. Check with the Administrator but mine loved the idea and has seen how much it helps the Residents.

[themusiclady 1]

It takes time to establish yourself so be patient.

'Befriend the CNAs' is what I would say too, and if you're always cheerful and encouraging will help.

A recognition/reward scheme is a good idea.

 

I've been doing a senior music programme for five years now and have made close friendships with many CNAs and nurses around Houston, I think if people like what you're doing and see how it helps the atmosphere at work they get on board and support it.

 

But if I do go somewhere where everyone's down to their last nerve or having a bad day I just get on with it and do what I can; tomorrow's another day!

 

Good luck

[yrtype 0]

i am not sure i understand the concept of the other replies with rewards, food & other treats, notes, et. My Activity Staff has a job description as well as all other staff in the facility pertaining to their position. If you read the Interpetive Guidelines, and most likey you will have a policy regarding assisting residents in every aspect of daily living, nourishment, all care issues ~ you will see one that states assisting or transporting residents to activities/porgrams/events, meals, et is mandated. This is not just the C.N.A.'s. I personally feel that just saying "thank you for helping" or "asking politely and not demanding in the tone of voice" is acceptable. Funny thing. I just went thru my annual survey two weeks ago. My residents thought they were in heaven. They received so much l-l attention, attended every activity, and so on. Lets be honest folks. I can get in my car at the end of every day and as w the rest of the staff does the same. But for our residents, this is their home, most depend on all of us, every staff member for some little piece of happiness each day. Dont we owe them that much? Next time you have the opportunity to give a little speech in morning meeting, mandatory staff inservices, in the break room, at staff/residents events, family night, why dont you share your thoughts on this subject. It works. from a veteran Activity Coordinator, 31 years.

[sams 0]

I have only been an activity director for 6 weeks. I would like to know if any of you have trouble getting other departments to work together with you on getting the residents to activities?

 

My DON and ADON both whole heartedly agree that all the residents need to be in activities. However, they do not want to push the charge nurses or aides to make sure residents are getting involved.

 

They all act like the activity department is its own little segment and it should not involve others.

 

My administrator wants the activity program to big a big hoopla and I do too. We only have 4-7 residents (out of 70) attend activites. This is so sad and I am not sure I can change it without cooperation.

 

Anyone else have these problems? If so, how do you handle it?

 

Thanks,

Robin

 

I am a new A/D too, but before I became an A/D I was an aide, and now I see both sides, the thing that helped me the most was I was already friends with all of the team members, so I think that its important to befriend your co-wokers, and when they need help always assist them as much as you can, because it will go a long way.

[lkelley 0]

Robin,

 

This seems to be a very common problem. The best advice that I can give is to befriend your co-workers and offer an incentive for their help. My suggestion is to start a program to reward the staff that work to get residents to the activities. For every resident that a staff member brings to an activity they will be given a chance to win a prize at the end of the month. You choose what that might be, it could be a gift card to a restaurant, movie tickets or anything that you feel they might enjoy, you can even ask their opinion. The more residents that they bring the greater chance they will have to win the prize. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they are willing to help. I realize that this will be an expense for your budget but it will be well worth it when you have better resident participation. Good Luck!

 

 

 

Lori

[cbishop5120 0]

Robin -

 

I too, understand where you are coming from. It can be very difficult to have total cooperation from other departments. We have taken a number of approaches.

 

1. Befriend the staff, and try to support them as best we can.

2. Invite and Include them in activity "Fun"ctions.

3. Make sure that we ALWAYS thank them when they are helping us out. (Verbal & Written)

4. Collaborate with special events and get their input. What are some special things that they need to do, and how can we help make it easier and accomodate them.

 

Another thing that you could do is to help them realize that when most of the residents are in a group activity, it makes their jobs much easier...Less call lights to answer, easier to gather the residents for meal times, med passes become less difficult because everyone is in a central location. It would be actually less work for them. And if everyone could work together, it would be less work for everyone.

 

Curtis

[ruthd 0]

This is a problem most activities departments have. This is my third building and I have found that some CNA's really want their residents out of their rooms, some want them in bed. Work closely with your DON, ADON, Charge Nurses, and CNA's. Prasie , food, bribes sometimes help. But just start gathering up and ask them to help, a smile and thank you goes a long way. Make list of residents tht are care planed to attend programs and give to charge nurses every morning. Always remind at orienatation or staff meetings a resident in activities is one less call light to anwser. At care plan meeting visit with resident and familys about programs of interest, then tell your charge nurse, Mr. or Mrs. so and so family want them to attend this or that program. Have your residents that can get to programs buy theirselves encourage others to attend or ask for help. Go up and down the halls asking folks and if they want to attend and need help, turn that call light on. Just keep trying, keep smiling and do your best.

[DeanaG73 1]

Robin -

 

I too, understand where you are coming from. It can be very difficult to have total cooperation from other departments. We have taken a number of approaches.

 

1. Befriend the staff, and try to support them as best we can.

2. Invite and Include them in activity "Fun"ctions.

3. Make sure that we ALWAYS thank them when they are helping us out. (Verbal & Written)

4. Collaborate with special events and get their input. What are some special things that they need to do, and how can we help make it easier and accomodate them.

 

Another thing that you could do is to help them realize that when most of the residents are in a group activity, it makes their jobs much easier...Less call lights to answer, easier to gather the residents for meal times, med passes become less difficult because everyone is in a central location. It would be actually less work for them. And if everyone could work together, it would be less work for everyone.

 

Curtis

 

 

We are having the same problem at our facility. I had the "opportunity" to speak at the last new employee orientation and I emphasized that it would be beneficial to the nursing staff if they brought residents to the activity room...this would allow the resident to participate in activities and free up the nursing staff to work with other residents.

 

Something else we (the activity department) are throwing around is the idea of having a "bonus buck" that the nursing staff can accumulate each time they bring a resident to an activity. They can save up theses bucks and every quarter (time period still being determined) they can bid on a couple of gift baskets.

 

Hope that's helpful...

 

Deana

[shilbach 0]

I have only been an activity director for 6 weeks. I would like to know if any of you have trouble getting other departments to work together with you on getting the residents to activities?

 

My DON and ADON both whole heartedly agree that all the residents need to be in activities. However, they do not want to push the charge nurses or aides to make sure residents are getting involved.

 

They all act like the activity department is its own little segment and it should not involve others.

 

My administrator wants the activity program to big a big hoopla and I do too. We only have 4-7 residents (out of 70) attend activites. This is so sad and I am not sure I can change it without cooperation.

 

Anyone else have these problems? If so, how do you handle it?

 

Thanks,

Robin

 

 

HI ROBIN,

 

I go around fifteen minutes prior to the start of an activity and ask and take those who want to go. The aides in my facility are really good about taking residents down to me, I think that away they don't have to do much they are with me and they don't have to worry. But when they see me go around this motivates them to start moving to take residents down also.

 

Sandy

[aza9 0]

HI ROBIN,

 

I go around fifteen minutes prior to the start of an activity and ask and take those who want to go. The aides in my facility are really good about taking residents down to me, I think that away they don't have to do much they are with me and they don't have to worry. But when they see me go around this motivates them to start moving to take residents down also.

 

Sandy

 

 

Hello, I understand your frustation. When I started 10 months ago, the activity director position had been open for 5 months. Therefore the whole situation with other staff was at an all time high. My theroy was to kill them with kindness.....therefore I had the residents make them goodie bags with candy and goodies, we did this for holiday and special career months. Hope this helps a little bit, but it seems like it is ongoing situation. We have started doing the 15 minute before activites personally inviting residents to come and this has really, really, helped. The residents really like the personal face to face invitation.

[JoanneA1 0]

Hello,

 

First let me say that we call and remind the residents about an upcoming activity. I have 96 rooms. It takes time, but a reminder always works. Every day, i also put our what is going on in the facility to each room, small enough that the residents carry the activity sheet with them. The residents all have a buzzer that goes to the CNA's pager that notifies the staff to go get the resident and bring them to activities. This works. The CNA's and residents are all welcome to participate if they want to. Otherwise, its up to me and my assistant to promote and call the residents. We will take back residents, those that are in wheelchairs, to them apartments when the activity is over.