ljadler 0 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 copy and paste this questionnaire so we can get to know each other better and have fun! Karen What is your name? Jeannie Adler What is your occupation? AD in a Assist Living 34 beds •What are you listening to right now? Elvis • What was the last thing you ate? Sonic •Do you wish on stars? Sometimes •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue •How is the weather right now? Sunny •Last person you spoke to on the phone? My bubby •How old are you today? will be 45 this month •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Pepsi & Water •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Any – Football •Have you ever dyed your hair? no •Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses •Pets? 4 dogs •Favorite month? Feb •Favorite food? Spaghetti •What was the last movie you watched? dont have time •Favorite day of the year? Christmas and Thanksgiving •Fall or Spring? Both when it’s cold •When was the last time you cried? today •What did you do last night? talked to my hubby •What inspires you? My Residents •What are you afraid of? Frogs •Favorite car? Ford •Favorite dog breed? Pug •How many years at your current job? 2 •How many states have you lived in? 2 Kansas and Oklahoma •How many cities/towns have you lived in? 5 Tulsa, Alva, Oklahoma City, Wichita Kansas, Mulvane Kansas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmrcwayne 0 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 Hi, I am Amanda. I actually am and Activities Assistant but am looking to become certified. So if any one can help me with the process in Michigan I would appreciate it so much. I have been assisting at my facility since January and have come to LOVE it, This is my first time working in any field even similar. They are now asking me to look into the certification process and I have no idea where to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BartMan 0 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 copy and paste this questionnaire so we can get to know each other better and have fun! Karen What is your name? BartMan What is your occupation? Activity Director for LTC Facility •What are you listening to right now? Brad Paisley • What was the last thing you ate? Just had a salad out of our cafeteria here at work •Do you wish on stars? Yes I do •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple •How is the weather right now? Sunny and hot 100 degrees , sticky and humid •Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Friend •How old are you today? 37 •Favorite drink? Bloody Mary •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Bass Fishing on t.v. •Have you ever dyed your hair? yep •Do you wear contacts or glasses? 20/20 vision for now •Pets? a fish •Favorite month? December •Favorite food? Pizza Hut Pizza (supreme pan) •What was the last movie you watched? Indiana Jones •Favorite day of the year? Christmas •Fall or Spring? Spring (great fishing) •When was the last time you cried? really can't remember , Oh Geez that's really sad , I think i'm gonna cry ;o( •What did you do last night? played nine ball (pool) with some buddies •What inspires you? My Daughter (7yrs, old) •What are you afraid of? Spiders , shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone •Favorite car? Ford F-150 •Favorite dog breed? Husky •How many years at your current job? 15 •How many states have you lived in? Seven •How many cities/towns have you lived in? Way too many to mention , you see I am a NAVY Brat , My Father was in the Navy for thirty years , we moved a lot !!!! Lived a lot over seas.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeamy 0 Report Share Posted July 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! My name is Amy DeWall and I work as an Activity Director for ManorCare in Shawano, WI which is about 30 miles west of Green Bay,WI. (GO PACK GO). I have been with the Corporation for about 16 months and enjoy my job and the residents. I face barriers as everyone does; such as the budget being sooo small and staffing etc.. but for the most part it has been an overall wonderful experience for me. Our facility is half rehab and half long-term care which keeps things interesting. My position is very fast-paced and I am involved with many other committees and help with admissions, never a dull moment. I feel that my job teaches me many valuable "life lessons" that I may have never encountered had I not landed into this position and for that I am very thankful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjspeights 0 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 What is your name? JJ Speights What is your occupation? Full-time musician, LTC volunteer, •What are you listening to right now? Nothing • What was the last thing you ate? Orange •Do you wish on stars? Look at.. not wish on... •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue •How is the weather right now? Muggy and Hot •Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend Eddie •How old are you today? 39 and holding... •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Water/Gingerale Alcohol: Grand Manier •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Football •Have you ever dyed your hair? Highlighted... •Do you wear contacts or glasses? No •Pets? 2 cats •Favorite month? October •Favorite food? Ice Cream •What was the last movie you watched? Kung Fu Panda! •Favorite day of the year? my son's Birthday •Fall or Spring? Fall •When was the last time you cried? Last week •What did you do last night? Went to see movie, packed my house up.. •What inspires you? Music and willingness to try •What are you afraid of? Losing my son •Favorite car? Mustang GT Black •Favorite dog breed? Cocker •How many years at your current job? Self-employed 10 years •How many states have you lived in? 3 – Georgia, New York, and now Florida •How many cities/towns have you lived in? Too many to name!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwendland 0 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Hi Everyone, My name is Irene Wendland. I have been working as an Activity Director for nearly 20 years and am still open for new ideas. I live in Romulus, Mi. and I work in a 142 bed facility in Westland Mi. I am very interested in learning new activities that others my do with evening and programs for the lower functioning residents. We have several Residents who are in their 50's. Currently we are doing an "Under 60's Group" and usually of their choice. If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate them. Thanks, Irene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisygirl1179 0 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 My name is Rachel. I am a recent Recreation Therapy graduate. I recently got my first professional job as an Activity Director for a resident facility for people with dementia. For the last two years I have been working with people of all ages who have developmental disabilities. So this is a change for me. My residents consists of people mostly in the late stages of Alzheimer's, but I have a few who very aware. My issue is that I just don't know how to led activities when sometimes I am the only one participating. I feel like my faciliation skills are very rusty. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of any trainings in Northern California I could attend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljadler 0 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 What is your name? Jeannie What is your occupation? Activity Director What are you listening to right now? Skip a rope What was the last thing you ate? Ham Steak Do you wish on stars? Yes, If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue How is the weather right now? Hot & Humid Last person you spoke to on the phone? My hubby How old are you today? young 45 Favorite drink? Coke Favorite sport(s) to watch? Football Have you ever dyed your hair? None Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses Pets? 4 dogs Favorite month? December Favorite food? Chocolate, Italian What was the last movie you watched? Bucket list very very good movie Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving, Christmas When was the last time you cried? This am What did you do last night? went to the garden and then to bed and talk to hubby on the phone What inspires you? My family, What are you afraid of? Height, frogs Favorite car? 4 door truck Favorite dog breed? How many years at your current job? 2 years How many states have you lived in? – 2 Oklahoma, Kansas How many cities/towns have you lived in? Alva, Tulsa, Wichita, Mulvane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adair 0 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 My name is Adair, and I am about to become an activities director at a local nursing home.. I am excited and nervous all at the same time lol... I love working with people, and hope that I can help make these people who have seen this world grow into what it is today's lives as wonderful as I can! I love to help people and make them smile. I'm a nut and have a bubbly personality!!! I have two beautiful babies who are 7 and almost 6. They are my world!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillinDayton 0 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 What is your name? Bill Corfield What is your occupation? Professional Entertainer specializing in LTC Facilities... •What are you listening to right now? POTUS 08, the Political channel on XM... • What was the last thing you ate? A slice of pizza... •Do you wish on stars? Not often enough... •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green •How is the weather right now? Overcast •Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Boss, err, Wife... •How old are you today? Turned 48 last week... •Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Milk •Favorite sport(s) to watch? Hockey •Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, when I was 20 and on the road with a band, lol... •Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses... •Pets? 2 Pugs, 5 fish and a gopher in the back yard... •Favorite month? December... •Favorite food? Bread Pudding... •What was the last movie you watched? Patch Adams... •Favorite day of the year? Christmas and Thanksgiving... •Fall or Spring? "Autumn..." •When was the last time you cried? Teared up on my bday when kids sang happy birthday... •What did you do last night? Painted wife's office and worked on a podcast for a online baseball league I run... •What inspires you? Good music, literature, film, people... •What are you afraid of? Heights... •Favorite car? One that's paid for, lol... •Favorite dog breed? Pugs... •How many years at your current job? 13... •How many states have you lived in? 3-PA, MD and OH •How many cities/towns have you lived in? 4 Pittsburgh, PA, Waldorf, MD, Monroeville, PA, Troy, OH... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsnook 0 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 What is your name? B Snook What is your occupation? Activity Director •What are you listening to right now? the quietness of our facility • What was the last thing you ate? Honey Nut Cherios •Do you wish on stars? nah •If you were a crayon, what color would you be? whichever one does not get used! •How is the weather right now? warm & sunny soon to get hot •Last person you spoke to on the phone? my daughter •How old are you today? 52 •Favorite drink? coke classic •Favorite sport(s) to watch? none •Have you ever dyed your hair? Only my hairdresser knows for sure! •Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses •Pets? 2 horses, dog, 2 cats, 2 cows, & apparently the bee's that have adopted our porch as their home •Favorite month? don't have one •Favorite food? corn on the cob •What was the last movie you watched? I don't remember •Favorite day of the year? geez, can't think of one in particular •Fall or Spring? Both, when not raining •When was the last time you cried? gave that up years ago What did you do last night? slept •What inspires you? to do what? there are so many things that inspire me to do different things. •What are you afraid of? dying before I can enjoy retirement •Favorite car? '64 Galaxy 500XL w/390 & a 4 barrel carb •Favorite dog breed? Wolf/lab •How many years at your current job? 1 & 1/2 •How many states have you lived in? 1 •How many cities/towns have you lived in? aw, geez... since I was a Kid?? 4 I guess I have lived my whole life in Oregon's Willamette Valley. I have a dry sense of humor and I like to play with the English language as it is one of the hardest for a non-native speaker to learn. I really enjoy my job as an Activity Director. It is something I have not done before, however, this is the job I really want at this point in my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsaymarie 0 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Hello everyone! My name is Lindsay, I am 25 years old, and in two weeks I will begin my career as an activity director. I have been working for the past 1.5 years as a medication aide and part-time activities assistant for an assisted living facility in rural Virginia, and I work in the special care (dementia) unit. The job recently became available and now I've got it! I'm very excited because I love this kind of work (I started volunteering in the activities department of a retirement home when I was 12 years old, I was a student aide during art class in the special ed department of my high school, and I have worked in a variety of caregiving environments for years). I have discovered that I have a real passion for dementia care. My own grandmother died a few years ago after struggling with the disease, and I feel that if she had been more engaged on a regular basis she may have had much better quality of life near the end. She started to decline rapidly after moving from a very interactive environment into a nursing home where she was very isolated and bored most of the time, so I have seen first-hand the importance of an activity director's position. Despite all of my caregiving experience, I fell into this line of work entirely by accident. I took a long break from education after graduating from high school and I started college last year as an English major with the long-term goal of going on to library school. However, I have fallen so in love with my job and my residents that I can imagine myself staying in this field forever. It is challenging and highly rewarding and I feel like it helps me as much as it helps the residents. Like group therapy! I found out on Monday that I got the position, and I have spent the last couple days putting together a binder of activity ideas and resources. One of my closest friends is the activity director for the AL side (I will be doing activities just for the SCU), so I've got someone to bounce ideas off of. I've even put together a tentative calendar for October! The SCU's current census is only 14 and our capacity is 18, so my goal is to get every resident engaged for at least 15 minutes every day, whether in group or individual settings. I've got 4-6 group activities (4-5 hours) scheduled per day with time in between and at the end of my workday to spend on room visits and 1:1 activities. I have spent a lot of time reading through these forums and taking notes, so thank you for already providing me with some fantastic ideas. Finding this website has been wonderful, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and ideas with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee 0 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Hi: am new to this page. I am A Quality of Life Director in a skilled care facility in Florida. Happy to be a part of this family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessicadrrc 0 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hello to everyone out there. My name is Jessica and I am new to the Activity Director position. I just started working on the 15 of September. I work at a rehab/retirement center in Louisiana. Any advice or suggesstions would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveMyLVN 0 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) Hi Everyone! I am a new AD who has been working in the field for almost a year now. I honestly consider it a huge blessing to have found this site because it continues to be so inspiring!! It helps to see what others are doing so that when the job seems overwhelming I won't take it too seriously..Having a great network like this really helps. Our setting is ADHC in CA, and my past experience as an Activity Assistant was in the SNF so I've been acquainting myself to the (many!) differences. I'm still working hard to put together my policies and procedures, and we've started to have our first volunteer. I got into this field because I love the stories that elders have to tell. They are just like all of us, only with more experiences to share. It didn't hurt that I had a great relationship with my wonderful grandparents who have since passed away. I'm lucky to have one surviving grandma who is very special to me, and has been great with sharing arts ideas for my programs. At this point our census is still growing, and I'm glad we have some patients who really want to help and have become friends with one another, which makes them excited to come to groups now. However, have had some difficulties with some patients who are not interested at all in what we are doing. Like one of the previous posters, I too am interested in Library Science, and still may pursue the MA online in the future. I really like my job, but I'd like to have alternatives for the future. Take good care and enjoy the start of fall! I'm looking forward to going to the mountains and also attending a local gem and mineral show later in the fall. Edited September 20, 2008 by ILoveMyLVN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vera 0 Report Share Posted September 23, 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, my name is Vera. I'm in Goldsboro NC. I began as an AD Assistant. As of March of this year I completed the course Activity Director-Basic. I was an Assistant for approx. 4 months before the AD moved away. This is all new to me. I work with TBI residents. (Traumatic Brain Injury) I need all the help possible planning activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanbanks86 0 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi, my name is Vera. I'm in Goldsboro NC. I began as an AD Assistant. As of March of this year I completed the course Activity Director-Basic. I was an Assistant for approx. 4 months before the AD moved away. This is all new to me. I work with TBI residents. (Traumatic Brain Injury) I need all the help possible planning activities. joan Mitchell I work for a private facility in Houston Texas for the last year and i am still learning about proper documentation for private facilities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheronmartinez 0 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 (edited) :)I just got a job as an Activity Director for an alzheimer's unit and have only been working there for about a month. Previously, I worked at a pharmacy as a clerk. The previous director had not been doing much with the residents and so I am having to create my own calender of events and come up with my own resources and activities from scratch. What has helped me the most in generating ideas has been talking with my son's Pre-K teacher. What I have found is that residents with dementia and other related illnesses enjoy the same things as young children in their toddler and Pre-K years, like music, rhymes, puzzles with big knobs, legos, and easy crafts. Hope this helps! Edited September 25, 2008 by sheronmartinez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmg633 0 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Hi, My name is Leanne, I work in an Adult day care centre, but we call it a community centre (sorry Aussie spelling). I am from Australia. I have been working as a 'carer' in the day care centre for a year and a half part time and pretty much organise the activities on a Tuesday and Friday. We currently do not have an activities director - or what we call here - A diversional therapist or Activties Officer. I have currently applied for the job and I hope I get it. One thing that is lacking at our centre is an activities focus. The program has gone down hill as there hasn't been a designated person, there was a 'Team Leader' but she had no real interest in developing an interesting and interactive program for our clients. I am also studying to be a Diversional Therapist at Charles Sturt University (Bachelor of Health Science - health & leisure) via distance education. My other part time job is in Home Care. My passion is helping the elderly enjoy the rest of their life. I've never worked in residential. I am scanning the forums to get some great ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sthomo 0 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hi All My name is Shirley and i live in Melbourne, Australia and work in a 75 bed aged care home as the Lifestyle Cordinator. I havent been around Activity Director for a while boy has it changed from what i remember. Looking forward to contacting new peersis there anyone out there from OZ. Maybe someone could me out with best times for forum activity as the time change is a challenge. Regards Shirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ1 0 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hello all, I'm Russ and I'm a "newbie". I've been a CTRS for 15 years and recently took a position as Director of Recreation at a CCRC in Washington DC. My main objective in this position is to provide the residents in this community with activities that they find enjoying, so I'm looking forward to your ideas and success stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizchris27 0 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi, I am Christine, and I am a transplanted NJ girl in SC. I am a convert, Ya'll can keep the snow!!! I love SC waether and thr laid back attitude. Add some sweet tea and gospel sing alongs and you have my activity departments core! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werneket 0 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) Hello, I'm Tammy Werneke from Glen Burnie, MD I have been an Activity Director for less than a year in LTC. Funny thing: I started out in early childhood development. I find that I do just about the same thing. With out the ABC's and 123s. I love the residents. The old ,sick, crazy, and all three put together. Each day is a new start. I believe we are all people and need to be loved and cared about. I love to sing and dance, go to church, spend time with my family, ride in the country, play cards with my in-laws, do arts and crafts of all kinds, learn new things, and hold babies. Oh and eat. I wish I worked less hours so I could do these things. Edited October 13, 2008 by werneket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewGuy 0 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Hello Everyone! My name is Scott and I have been an Activity Assistant here in New Hampshire for the last 7 years at a 114 bed facility with both LTC and SNF residents. Prior to this I was a CNA but hurt my back had 2 back surgeries and was unable to return to that type of work...No skin off my teeth because I believe that what I do now is exactly what God gifted me to do! Recently I was Given a New England Region Award for Activities by the Directors and have also been offered a Directors job in a new facility within the same company! I am awaiting an interview with the Administrator of that facility and with the Social Work Regional Director to Discuss the position... Several months ago I was offered the same position but declined basically from poor self confidence, Ya know the "Can I do this?" "What if I fail!" stuff! Ugh! I am so glad that I have found this site and All of you to discuss with other Directors and hopefully if I accept the job you can all offer a NewGuy some Wisdom! Nice to "Cyber-Meet" you all! Blessings, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martha61 0 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I am Martha Wood, I live in Scaly Mtn., NC, I work at Fidelia-Eckerd Living Center as the Activity Director.It is a 80 bed facility. We our an Eden Alternative facility. We have a dog, 4 cats, birds and rabbits in one of the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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