MaryLou 0 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Karen, Lucky Dog is a simple game (which works really well in my facility) played with cards and die. I bought ours from one of the activity supply catalogs like S&S or Sea Bay. Can't find it now. You could make your own Lucky Dog game. You need sets of cards 1-6 and one large soft die. Each resident gets a set of six cards flip the cards so that the numbers are facing up in front of the resident, as each person gets a turn they roll the die and turn the number that the die shows over. The first person to get all of their cards flipped is the winner. How easy is that? MaryLou REPLY TO KAREN:Copy and paste this questionnaire so we can get to know each other better and have fun! Activity Director’s Who Are You? 1. Where are you from (City and State) Trion, Ga 2. What type of Facility do you work in? snf 151 beds - not for profit- secured alzheimer's uinit (23 beds, included in total. 3. How many years in the field? 19 4. What are your strengths as and Activity Director? I am a strong advocate for allowing residents to make their preferces known and fufilling them as much as possible. 5. What are your weaknesses as and Activity Directtor? The time issue - I do all the documentation, progress notes, care plans, attendance, one to one, manage the dept., do staff recognition for various wecognition weeks, and anything else that nobody wants to do. 6. Do you have activity staff or are you the activity staff? one activity assistant who does group programs. my administrator says this is too many people. ha! ha! 7. Do you drive the bus? We don't have facility transportation related to the liabilty. It seems our families are on the suing track for any problems tha arise, so I don't feel comfortable taking residents out in my personal vehicle. 8. What is your favorite craft to do with the residents? Painting ceramics with acrylic paint and finishing them with a glossy top coat to make them look as is they have been fired. 9. What has been your favorite outing? In the past taking them to the local flea market and to the park for hopt dog suppers fishing. They also liked to go to wrestling on Friday Nights. 10. How many residents in your facility? 151. 11. What did you do before becoming an Activity Director? Social Worker at a 100 bed facility. 12. What information would you like to know about in this field? How other facilities do things, new activity ideas. How to get other depts. involved in activities. I've done inservices and praised those who help. Other suggestions . . . PLEASE! 13. Do you have a good volunteer program? Not really, it is difficult to get volunteers that can be of any help without constant supervision. Most of my volunteers are elderly and need to have activity staff with them at all times. 14. If you could only have one game to play with your residents what would it be (not including bingo)? Horse Racing. (What is LUCKY DOG? I NEED IT!) What are you listening to right now? DVD - The Holiday. I love that movie! What was the last thing you ate? Grits! I am a true Ga. Girl! Do you wish on stars? Yep. I'm still a kid at heart. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Periwinkle has always been my Crayola fav. How is the weather right now? 56 degrees and sunny! Last person you spoke to on the phone? My hair dresser. Its time for a root job! How old are you today? 57. Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Coffee with hazelnut creamer. Favorite sport(s) to watch? None. I don't get it for some reason. I do like ice skating. It's like watching ballet.n Have you ever dyed your hair? Oh yes. Every 4 weeks! Like I said, roots were showing! Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses. Pets? 4 cats one dog - all homeless. I guess they adopted me. Favorite month. Any month but December! ! ! I haven't had a real Christmas for ME since I became an activity director. I'm lucky if I get the wreath up on my front door! Favorite food? Oatmeal and rasins, chocolate, and Chili's Triple Play. What was the last movie you watched? The Holiday as I said and Untraceable. Favorite day of the year? Any Saturday! •Fall or Spring? Both! I love all of the changing seasons. •When was the last time you cried? I quit crying. It doesn't help. I guess I'm into whining now but I'm trying not to do this any more. •What did you do last night? Home work. I'm trying to finish my degree in Social Work, not that I want to change my profession. •What inspires you? I truly ask God for help daily. His ideas have run my dept. for th last 19 yrs. •What are you afraid of? Nurses. •Favorite car? 1969 Camaro. •Favorite dog breed? Muts. •How many years at your current job? 19 •How many states have you lived in? 1 •How many cities/towns have you lived in? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Me 0 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 HI, I AM NEW TO THE ROOM. I'D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW A FEW PEOPLE. I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CERTIFICATIONS AND HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THEM. GLAD TO MEET YOU ALL. DIANE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charris 0 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 New here also.... and new to this manager job... ANY HELP i would appreciate... I was told to come up with new a different ideas but have to keep it non-juvinile... I have been using www.activityconnection.com and it has helped. Still could use more ideas. HELP... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgrantham 0 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 1. Where are you from (City and State) mineral wells tx 2. What type of Facility do you work in? 100bd skilled nusing home 3. How many years in the field? 3 4. What are your strengths as and Activity Director? I am a strong modeavator and encourage my residents to succed to the fullest of their intrest 5. What are your weaknesses as and Activity Directtor? being on time with things 6. Do you have activity staff or are you the activity staff? I AM THE ONLY ONE!! 7. Do you drive the bus? YES and dislike every min. 8. What is your favorite craft to do with the residents? no sew blankets 9. What has been your favorite outing? when we go to look at christmas lights and stop at mc donalds for a hot apple pie! 10. How many residents in your facility? 89 11. What did you do before becoming an Activity Director? i was an cna on the floor at our facility 12. What information would you like to know about in this field? How other facilities do things, new activity ideas. How to get other depts. involved in activities. 13. Do you have a good volunteer program? yes i dont know wat i would do without them 14. If you could only have one game to play with your residents what would it be (not including bingo)? outdoor games What are you listening to right now? counrty music channel What was the last thing you ate? chinese food Do you wish on stars? Yes, i know still have some kid in me If you were a crayon, what color would you be? pink love the color ( thats my marykay love comeing out) lol How is the weather right now? 89 degrees sunny! nice weather Last person you spoke to on the phone? my director*(mary kay )* How old are you today? 20 Favorite drink? water Favorite sport(s) to watch? basketball, Have you ever dyed your hair? yes of course who doesnt? Do you wear contacts or glasses? both just depends what i feel like in the morning Pets? yes 3 dogs and 5 goats Favorite month. valentine's and christmast ( february & december) Favorite food? pasta salad What was the last movie you watched? cars Favorite day of the year? may 29th •Fall or Spring? Both! love them both •When was the last time you cried? i dont remember •What did you do last night? Home work, and finishing my office •What inspires you? people with alot of detemination •What are you afraid of? the dark ( or whats in it) •Favorite car? my pink caddy suv •Favorite dog breed? yorky •How many years at your current job? 3 •How many states have you lived in? 1 I am born and raised texan! •How many cities/towns have you lived in? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charris 0 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 What is your name? Carol H What is your occupation? Activity Manager, CAC, CNA, Voluteer Coordinator •What are you listening to right now? nothing right now • What was the last thing you ate? Hot dog w/ chilli(homemade) and mustard •Do you wish on stars? Yes and always shooting stars •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? green •How is the weather right now? cold •Last person you spoke to on the phone? my mom •How old are you today? 41 •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Diet Mt dew •Favorite sport(s) to watch? College basketball, and football •Have you ever dyed your hair? no •Do you wear contacts or glasses? yes •Pets? 1 cat •Favorite month? April •Favorite food? Italian •What was the last movie you watched? dance with the white dog •Favorite day of the year? eater •Fall or Spring? Both •When was the last time you cried? yesterday •What did you do last night? Tried to stay warm and not get sick •What inspires you? people who always look at the bright side of things •What are you afraid of? losing someone i love •Favorite car? . SUVs •Favorite dog breed? German setter •How many years at your current job? currant job 3 weeks... currant place.. 20+yrs •How many states have you lived in? 3-NJ, WVA, NC •How many cities/towns have you lived in? NOT REALLY SURE.. I THINK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kakalina 0 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 copy and paste this questionnaire so we can get to know each other better and have fun! Karen What is your name? Kathy Doucette What is your occupation? Licensed Nursing Assistant / Activity assistant •What are you listening to right now? Silence • What was the last thing you ate? mini saltine crackers •Do you wish on stars? always •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? purple •How is the weather right now? snowy and cold •Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mother •How old are you today? 50 •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Water milk •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Ice skating •Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes every 4-6 weeks •Do you wear contacts or glasses? Both •Pets? 1 macho siberian husky and 1 sassy cat •Favorite month? April & May •Favorite food? Dard chocolate anything •What was the last movie you watched? Never forget me •Favorite day of the year? Christmas •Fall or Spring? Spring •When was the last time you cried? last week •What did you do last night? worked late, went to sleep early •What inspires you? True Smiles •What are you afraid of? Thunder/lightning •Favorite car? A baby blue 1968 mustang that I had many, many years ago •Favorite dog breed? Husky and Sheltie •How many years at your current job? 1 •How many states have you lived in? 4- Massachussetts, Virginia, North Carolina and now New Hampshire •How many cities/towns have you lived in? 4- N. Reading, Roanoke, Cary, Londonderry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikesmusic53 0 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 What is your name? Mike Morton What is your occupation? Musician/Songwriter (vendor with nursing homes, assisted living facilities etc) Full time 40 hr a week - bills paid by Fedex for time spent as customer service rep. •What are you listening to right now? Television (background noise) • What was the last thing you ate? A roast beef sub •Do you wish on stars? Absolutely - especially the second one to the right and on towards morning •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Aquamarine •How is the weather right now? Fair - 40s, trying to turn to Spring •Last person you spoke to on the phone? Brother •How old are you today? 54 •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Pepsi Imbibing: Guinness •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Boston Red Sox •Have you ever dyed your hair? No •Do you wear contacts or glasses? Reading glasses •Pets? None •Favorite month? October •Favorite food? Fish n chips •What was the last movie you watched? Took daughters to see Hannah Montana 3-D Movie. •Favorite day of the year? Samhain (Halloween) •Fall or Spring? Fall •When was the last time you cried? Last year after my dad passed away •What did you do last night? Hung out with my wife and girls, watched tv, read, played some music then to bed really late after watching the tube •What inspires you? My children •What are you afraid of? Heights (being on ladders/platforms), deep water (like it but can't swim) •Favorite car? I want my Dodge Omni back! •Favorite dog breed? The lovable, huggable, playful all American mongrel •How many years at your current job? since I was too young to remember! •How many states have you lived in? Massachusetts, Texas, Mississippi, California, Florida, Arkansas. Also lived for two years in Greenland! •How many cities/towns have you lived in? Massachusetts (Watertown, Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Arlington, Malden). Texas (San Antonio), Mississipi (Biloxi), California (Victorville, Apple Valley, San Bernadino), Florida (Fort Walton Beach), Arkansas (Little Rock). Greenland - Sondrestromfjord and Thule. (NOTE: These include locations I was at while in the Air Force from 1978-1991, anywhere I was there for more than 30 days) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuford9704 0 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 hello everyone my name is keylee and i am the ad for a facitlity in west texas i have only been AD for 2 weeks and i am loving it ...i love the residents but the only probably is they want to get out of the facility and our company has no trasportation there are about 100 residents. 23 of my residents are bb which i think is crazy. never seen anything like it.. so i suppose i have alot of work ahead of me since the last AD didn't do any paper work no assessments no careplans no mds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvsgirl 0 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 I would love to know who is out there and where they are from and what they do! I think it would be to be able to put a name with some info maybe even a picture! My name is Lynne and I live in DeLancey Pennsylvania. I work night shift at Am\Pm Personal Care Home. undefined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMBrauer 0 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 What is your name? Lindee Brauer What is your occupation? Activities Coordinator in a SNF •What are you listening to right now? Our Memory Care residents singing • What was the last thing you ate? breadsticks •Do you wish on stars? Not all stars.. •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? carolina blue •How is the weather right now? thunderstorms.. •Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Mother •How old are you today? 22 •Favorite drink? Mountain Dew •Favorite sport(s) to watch? NHL Hockey: Colorado Avelanche •Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes I have, I enjoy highlights/lowlights •Do you wear contacts or glasses? Neither •Pets? 1 very large cat surprisingly named Squishy.. how fitting •Favorite month? June •Favorite food? Pastas •What was the last movie you watched? Jumper •Favorite day of the year? Mother's Day •Fall or Spring? Fall •When was the last time you cried? Three weeks ago; car accident •What did you do last night? Enjoyed my night off before another chaotic work-week started. •What inspires you? my residents! •What are you afraid of? spiders, heights •Favorite car? 1969 Chevy Camaro: forrest green with cream, leather interior.. •Favorite dog breed? Great Dane •How many years at your current job? 3 in August •How many states have you lived in? states, just two. Countries: 2 •How many cities/towns have you lived in? Geissan, Germany; Omak, Washington; Jenison/Wyoming/Grand Rapids/Mt. Pleasant, Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriditucci 0 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 I would love to know who is out there and where they are from and what they do! I think it would be to be able to put a name with some info maybe even a picture! Hi Karen I think this is a great web site!! I love all it has to offer. Lori DiTucci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bea 0 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Hello my name is Bea...I'm a the Activity Director at a brand new Assisted Living Facility in Eastland Texas.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithP 0 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Hi everyone, My name is Faith and I am from Maine. I have been interested in becoming an activity director or assistant for a while now. Although I am not certified yet, I hope to be by the end of the year. I have been lurking around the site for awhile now and thought if I joined I might be better prepared for interviews etc. I am also making a noebook filled with games, activities etc and have gotten many great ideas online. I applied at a local dementia unit about 30 miles away and hope to have a first interview today (I'm very nervous because I really want this job) I hope to get to know you and share any ideas. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonclark 0 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 I would love to know who is out there and where they are from and what they do! I think it would be to be able to put a name with some info maybe even a picture! Sharon Clark : Mount Vernon Texas is where I live. Just miles from 3 major lakes and state parks. I will be working for a new adult day care in Mount Pleasant Texas called The Covenant House. All of the staff are brand new to the adult day care. We are going to have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbielynn 0 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 My name is Bobbie. I am new to the activities field. Although, I have been a caregiver for the past 6 years. I just got my activity coordinator certification a week ago. I work at a 96 bed skilled nursing community. About 30% of the residents have dementia. I am the assist. activity coordinator. I am a CA native and live in Sacramento. Look forward to hearing form all of you and learning from your experience and ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luluexpress 0 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 I have been working as an Activity Director for over 13 years prior an assist for 2 years. I had always worked in long term care until about 5 months ago. I now work for an alf with only 45 residents we have room for 90 residents.so I have room to grow. I started at 180 beds than 120,140,90 and finally 60 prior to this job....I just did not like all the paper work and meetings sooo I worked my way down. I love alf because very little paper work or meetings and i really do get to play all day....but as we know its work....running from one activity to another. there are things I do miss in long term residents we're much easier to please.... I can do a really great activity so I think and still there are the residents that have something to say..and they say it aloud oh myyyyy hee hee. I think its a control issue for them. wanting to hang on to something. Don't get me wrong I love where I am and My ED and other higher staff are great when it comes to supporting my department...It's just different.....I have to be much more creative...but again that is something I love as we all do..... I am also in need of some ideas from those of you that have worked with assisted living...My ED would like to see some sort of program out in front of our community for a small group of residents that go out and relax from 1-2:00....thats the other thing in assisted theres no down time...relax are you kidding... and we have activity areas all over thats great but i am only one person... i have been all over looking for volunteers and have even gotten a few but not enough with gas prices and regs for them...so please help any ideas....thanks lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftelady 0 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 I'm an ADC from PA working in a retirement community in the assisted living and skilled care units in activities. Presently I opted to provide programming rather than supervising. I had been in a high stress position and needed to get back to the basics..working directly with the residents. It has been a great decision! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyJ 0 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 My name is Christy Jones. I work in a 65 bed facility in Alabama. We have two different populations here. We have the elderly of course and then we have the young adult population. I live in a small time named Clanton. I really love my job and it is very rewarding. I have a blast. Iam very creative and have alot of fun. I have a loving husband and two sons Keaton and Shawn Paul. All three of them are the loves of my life. I cherish my family and spend as much time with them as possible. All of my elderly reisdents look at me being their grand daughter and the young adults lokk at me being their sister. It is really fun to work at a place like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActivityAmy 0 Report Share Posted May 24, 2008 I would love to know who is out there and where they are from and what they do! I think it would be to be able to put a name with some info maybe even a picture! Hello! My name is Amy and I am new to this website. I am so glad I found it! I started as an assistant in a skilled nursing home (5 years there) then took an AD job at another skilled facility (worked 5 years there). I have been working as the AD at an assisted living facility since August 2007 and love it! I am looking forward to meeting other Activity Professionals and sharing ideas with one another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug 0 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 Hi Everyone. My name is Deana, and I started as an AD this past March! I'm new to Long Term Care and feel kinda lost at times! I have enjoyed reading suggestions and ideas from here, so I decided to become part of the group! Thanks for letting me in!! What is your name? Deana Hall What is your occupation? Activity Director What are you listening to right now? The only radio station I can pick up in my office!! What was the last thing you ate? Granola Bar Do you wish on stars? Sometimes If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Some Shade of Pink How is the weather right now? Cloudy and muggy Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mom How old are you today? 29 Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Diet Pepsi & Water or Kool-Aid (Sugar Free) Alcohol: Don't Drink Alcohol Favorite sport(s) to watch? Any Have you ever dyed your hair? Yeah, and I'm due for another treatment! light brown with red and blonde streaks (most of the time) sometimes just highlights. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Contacts, only wear my glasses when my contacts fall out. Pets? none Favorite month? November Favorite food? Anything Italian or Grilled What was the last movie you watched? 27 Dresses on DVD Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving & 4th of July Fall or Spring? Spring When was the last time you cried? I don’t know What did you do last night? Grilled out for my parents and watched the series finale of Wildfire What inspires you? A little of everyone and everything What are you afraid of? Spiders, snakes, and heights Favorite car? Jeep Liberty, Camaro, VW Beetle Favorite dog breed? Rat Terrier, Yorkie's How many years at your current job? 2 months How many states have you lived in? 1 - Kentucky How many cities/towns have you lived in? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandie 0 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 What is your name? Sandie Johnson What is your occupation? AD •What are you listening to right now? NASCAR • What was the last thing you ate? don't laugh, sardines and onions •Do you wish on stars? Sometimes •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red •How is the weather right now? humid and gray •Last person you spoke to on the phone? my 21 year old son •How old are you today? 44 and proud of it •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol:diet Pepsi Alcohol: Long island ice teas •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Redskins, orioles, and Nascar •Have you ever dyed your hair? grey since i was 12 and just went red, I LOVE IT! •Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses •Pets? dog, cat •Favorite month? October •Favorite food? anything my husband makes, even if I don't like it •What was the last movie you watched? narnia with the residents •Favorite day of the year? any day that I get to spend with my grandchildren •Fall or Spring? Fall •When was the last time you cried? daily, menapuase sucks! •What did you do last night? shopped, my hubby is a shopaholic......lucky me •What inspires you? my 108 year old lady at work •What are you afraid of? not seeing my grandchildren turn into adults •Favorite car? anything good on gas, have a mariner and love it •Favorite dog breed? German Shephard •How many years at your current job? 2 •How many states have you lived in? 3 Pennsylvania, Tennessee and currently in Maryland •How many cities/towns have you lived in? too many, 8 different moves alone in Maryland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckimbal1 0 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hi my name is Cassy. I work in a 200 bed facility in Sebring Ohio. I am only an Activity Assistant, but I am currently enrolled in the MEPAP 1 course. That is actually how I found out about this site. I have only worked in activities for a little over ayear, but I love it. I am also a student at Kent State University with a major in gerontology. I hope to graduate in a a little over eyar, that is if my daughter will ever let me get to my homework(haha). After graduation I am hoping to persue a career in being a consultant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaRee 0 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hats off to Casey for going to school AND taking care of a child! My name is Lisa (LisaRee) and I am activity director at Lakeview Nursing Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. I have been employeed here for 9 years. 4 years as an activity aide and 5 years as activity director. I have two boys, ages 11 and 15 who give me hell on a daily basis so going to work and doing somthing that I love as much as I do has been quite a blessing for me. I also have an activity staff of 7 aides who are the heart of our activity program. As activity director it's my goal to do what I can for each resident to make sure that their last days here are full of love, tenderness, smiles and laughter. I absolutely love to make people laugh and the good thing about my job is that I can make a total fool of myself in front of my residents and to see the smiles on their faces is priceless. I'm not above dressing up (I love dress-up!) like a clown, Mrs Clause, an elf or anything else I can and dance around the activity room...my residents love it! I truly believe that a job like ours has to be a calling. If someone's just looking for a paycheck they should go elsewhere. "That's all I got to say bout that" :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplesky 0 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hi! I'm a 34 year old Activity Director, living in south central Kansas. I love my job and my residents. I have been doing this for four years and work in long -term care. I always need idea's, so send them my way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shannonw 0 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 I would love to know who is out there and where they are from and what they do! I think it would be to be able to put a name with some info maybe even a picture! Hello, my name is Shannon Wilson and I am an Activity Director at an AL in Johnson City, Tn. I work with high functioning AL residents as well as lower functioning residents with dementia and Alzheimer's type dementia in a Memory Care unit. I enjoy working in an assited living because I am able to fit in mroe activities per day for the residents and I am also able to do a wide range of activities because I have very HF residents as well LF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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