Who Are You Activity Director?

[kanga2647 0]

My name is Bonnie, and I am the Resident Program Coordinator for a 64-bed Skilled Nursing Community in Fountain Hills, AZ. My background includes some work in our Assisted Living building, doing activities on our Memory Unit. I have only been in the field for a short time, so I am still trying to figure it out, but it is definitely getting easier as I go along. My background is mostly in mental health - I worked in a group home in Pennsylvania for about two years and have done a lot of things in mental health. I am currently working on my MEPAP courses so I can get my actual certification.

 

It's been a challenge so far, but it's been fun. I enjoy our residents and have learned a ton of things from them...

[hpavoni 0]

We have a 14 passenger bus, so we do not need a CDL. I have to orient any person who wishes to be a driver for us. We go out on the bus 2x/week during summer months (here in Minnesota, it's no fun to be out in the winter). 90% of our bus trips are just rides, getting out to see what's going on in the area. (Usually 45 minutes to an hour long ride.) We have many small communities w/in 15 miles of our facility, so we may travel to the local town just to say we went there. We sometimes stop & pick up Dilly Bars at the DQ. We usually don't get off the bus, as it is a lot of work for all involved to load/unload. BUT - we take a shopping trip to a nearby Wal Mart or mall about 1x/ month. We also have a casino in our community, so we go out there for a couple of hours, they also offer a cheap breakfast that we've been getting out there for. The problem is, more & more of my residents are too fragile to be out at the casino or shopping. Up until about a year ago, I had to turn residents away from a trip, cuz we were full, but now, I have to beg & plead to get 8 or 9 residents to go, even for a ride. We do have the capablilities to hold 4 wheelchairs, but again, it's getting to be such a challenge to get residents to go. 2 weeks ago, we post-poned a trip d/t lack of interest. I only had 2 residents that wanted to go! I need to have more than that to go out, especially w/ gas prices the way they are! Those that go, though really enjoy it!

Stacie O.

 

Stacie, My community is located in Columbus, Ohio during the summer months we also stop by an area ice cream

shoppe near by. My AL residents stay on the bus while, I retrieve their favorite flavors of ice cream cones. Then we continue on to a State park near by and just drive through and enjoy nature. I tend to get 14 to 16 residents to join in on the fun.

Heidi P.

[eileen 0]

Hello my name is Eileen and I am from Webster, MA. Is there anyone else from MA? I am new to the forum. I have been an AD for only a few months. It is a smaller facility with 81 beds. I look forward to getting new ideas.

[jeffreykirchofer 0]

Hello All,

My name is Jeff and I am the AD at a 48 Bed Assisted Living /Alzheimer & Dementia Care Facility in Texas. I retired from the military last year and I must say this has been quite a career change and as the AD for this facility, I am enjoying every minute with each and every resident. Look forward to staying in contact with all of you, throughout my time as AD.

[AlaskanHillbilly 0]

Hi,

Karen it looks like everyone enjoys filling out the questioneer out. It is a good way to talk about ones-self and to learn about others. I think if you took this and changed a few of the questions it would work great on new res. even with some of their family members. So much better than some of the interview forms I have seen &/or used.

 

What is your name? Pennie

 

What is your occupation? AD, Consultant/Advisor, Web-Designer/Builder, Occ. Instructor, Working on some new ideals related to this field at this time.

 

What are you listening to right now? Hunt For Red October

 

What was the last thing you ate? Carrot Cake

 

Do you wish on stars? sometimes, always on shooting ones

 

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Varies, blue, yellow, pink

 

How is the weather right now? Nasty rainy & muddy

 

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Cousin

 

How old are you today? 48

 

Favorite drink? Non-alcohol: Coke, is there anything else?

 

Favorite sport(s) to watch? I don't give me Lifetime or WE

 

Have you ever dyed your hair? I don't remember my natural color

 

Do you wear contacts or glasses? As soon as I hit the big 40!

 

Pets? 5 dogs, 2 cats and unwanted gators and snakes

 

Favorite month? May or nice 70 degree weather months

 

Favorite food? Hamburgers, of course chocolate once a month!

 

What was the last movie you watched? Ice Princess

 

Favorite day of the year? Any that get my family together, usually the summer ones so that we can go out on the boat.

 

When was the last time you cried? July 7 right before I went to the ER

 

What did you do last night? Watched Ice Princess

 

What inspires you? My kids and all of you

 

What are you afraid of? Snakes and death of a loved one

 

Favorite car? Trucks

 

Favorite dog breed? Blood Hounds

 

How many years at your current job? Lost count

 

How many states have you lived in? – 1, Texas

 

How many cities/towns have you lived in? 4, Lubbock, Houston, Cleburne & Livingston. So boring, huh.

 

Pennie is as unboring as a wife can be. LOL she puts on a good "boring"front though My sister has her master's in early child care for special needs kids, but I told her about AD and our local "Pioneer's Home" here in Ketchikan AK

 

When she arrives her for her permanent move from Ky , she is very interested in the AD field, and I am hoping to get my wife some training also. If it has to do with Penny, I want to be a part of it (LOL she is THE model caretaker/mother/wife)

 

That's my 2cents

Jason

[cwill21 0]

Hi, I am new to this site and to this career. I am Chrissy from Columbus, Ohio. I work in a 120 bed facility, which is corporate owned. I was a STNA for 11 years, then I got hurt at the facility and have been on light duty for 2 years as an activity assistant. I recently learned I may not be able to return to STNA work. So I am tring to become an activity director just in case. I know all the paper work and all that I ran the department until they found an AD. However, 70% of my residents are vent, and bed bound. All I hear from all the staff is no one gets enough activities, there is only the AD and Myself in the department, we get 200 dollars a month for all supplies. I have tried all kinds of stuff to raise money. We need a big screen tv in our dayroom, I have tried to get an extra room for a game room we have alot of younger residents now. Corporate and Administration say it's not in the budget. In need of help/ideas, I feel like I am failing my residents!

[cwill21 0]

HELLO EVERYONe <!!!!! My name is Chris Williams. I regstered/completed the MEPAP classes through this site over a year ago, but for some reason am JUST NOW introducing myself.

 

My experience in rehabilitation stems all the way back to Oct. '99 when I was in a horrific car accident. I was in a coma for 20+ days, was an inpatient at a rehab for a month, and was an outpatient 5 days/week in PT, OT, and Speech for almost a year.

 

When I started college the next year at the University of Florida in the Fall of 2000, I chose a Health Science major named Rehabilitation Services with a minor in Education. The rehab. service I became most involved in is Recreational Therapy. After graduation, I sought to achieve certification in RT, but due to a huge lack of job opportunity for that in Florida, I registered/completed the MEPAP classes to be an Activity Director. Just recently, I applied and was granted certification in to the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals Certification #: ADC290106.

 

My activity employment experience includes:

-500+ hours of RT practicum work at the Malcom Randall VA Hospital in Gainesville

-18 + months of full-time Activity Assistant employment

-One year of AA employment with AD training

 

I love all the therapuetic benefits of activities a little more each and every day!

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce myself and lay out a synopsis of my Activity Experience and/or educational qualifications.

For any AD employment opportunities in the Pinellas County Area, please contact me at your convenience.

Thank you everyone on this site and hope to hear from you soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited September 5, 2009 by cwill21

[sheba 0]

My name is Valerie Petrick. I have been employed at BCDH Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam, WI for nine years.

 

I am regstered and completed the MEPAP 1 & 2 classes to be an Activity Director. I will apply for National Certification Council for

 

Activity Professionals Certification in March of 2010 when I have a total of 6,000 hours in our Activity Department.

 

I have aproximately 50+ college credits.

 

 

I was a CNA for 6 years.

 

But have been working 3 years full-time in our Activity Department.

 

I kept my CNA title.

 

I am now the Department Activity Lead with numorous duties.

 

I have a wonderful staff! We are all CNAs plus have known each other for 9 years!

 

This job is challenging! Looking forword to a positive up and coming season full of fun!

[HHCCRAD 0]

Hi im christina but everyone calls me chriss..im a RAD for a 100 bed care center in southwest Louisiana...i have been a RAD for 1 year here.....i was a activity assistant for 2 1/2 yrs at a hospital while also being CNA....i was wondering 2 things...1. anyone from Louisiana.....2. i need help with ideas for an inservice for our staff...however i want it to be in some kind of game form....any ideas? i also love doing outings and planing partys and surprises for my residents.. Edited October 8, 2009 by HHCCRAD

[aaron 0]

Hi my name Edna Carrillo and i have been an activity director for 9 years in a assisted living facility. In the assisted living facility we also have a memory loss unit. We have a total of sixty seven residents in our facility. I enjoy doing activities with the residents and taking them on numerous outings such as, shopping at walmart, lunch outings, movies,and museums. I plan to continue to educate myself by continuing to do activity courses to become more knowledgeable in activities.

[ahylton 0]

Hi!

My name is Angie Hylton and I have been a Community Life Director for 2.5 years. I received a MA from Hood College with a concentration in gerontology and a certificate in thanatology. I work at a CCRC and my team and I plan activities, outings and special events for residents in our IL,AL, restorative and dementia neighborhoods. I live in Frederick, MD. This syllabus seems like it's going to be intense, especially with having a full time job. Reading textbooks is not my thing and it makes me feel like I have ADD! I'm not sure when I'm going to find time to first of all find TWO credited AD, but also to interview them and write up a summary on my interview....all before next week?

Angie

[ahylton 0]

Hi! What kind of inservice? I'm not from Louisiana.

Angie

 

 

Hi im a RAD for a 100 bed care center in southwest Louisiana...i have been a RAD for 1 year here.....i was a activity assistant for 2 1/2 yrs at a hospital while also being CNA....i was wondering 2 things...1. anyone from Louisiana.....2. i need help with ideas for an inservice for our staff...however i want it to be in some kind of game form....any ideas?

[HHCCRAD 0]

Hi! What kind of inservice? I'm not from Louisiana.

Angie

 

 

Any help is appreciated....any kind of inservice..by our policy , rad's must do 2 inservices a year..i did one last month...i used dept heads paired with 2 cna's each...i asked then questions regarding our residents....it was a " how well do you know our residents"....i gave 3 clues to each resident and imitated there voice or movments the best that i could. I was funny, fun, and a lot of laughing. But they relized you need to pay attention to what the resident says,& does....while learning this they had fun.Now im asked if im doing the inservice again..and is it a game...i dont want to let them down...so to make a long story short...any kind really as long as i do one and it makes a point......p.s. thanks for answering!

[ROMAINE 0]

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!

 

 

Romaine Kaufman BA ACC/MC

District President for FHCACA (Broward County) Meeting every third Thursday at 3.30pm at

Heartland of Lauderhill

2599 NW 55th Ave, Lauderhill FL. 33313

954 485 8873

 

Free CEU's and refreshments. Please join us for networking and education.

Activity Consultant, Memory Care Specialist

Program Director

Edited October 19, 2009 by ROMAINE

[jennb54 0]

Hi I'm Bennie,

Located in the North Dallas area and have been an activity director in a Memory Care Center for a little over a year. Enjoy my current position, learning the administration and industry. Have education degree and marketing experience; but first time doing an online course. Finding first week overwhelming! Love working with seniors and look forward to growing in the field. My experience with long term care is with family member who had dementia, and I was the caregiver for over three years.

 

Enjoy spiritual events, stock car racing, movies, and seniors. Have worked with the homeless and doing community service with food pantries and helping those in need. During my childhood did volunteering at skilled nursing facilities with parents.

 

Love working with seniors and look forward to growing in the field. Hope I can make it through this certification program....

[Rhall 0]

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 Becky, I live in Soldotna, Alaska. I work in a small 60 bed nursing facility as an activitiy team leader working in my department for over 5 yrs. and I am also a CNA since 1993. First of all I absolutley LOVE my job. I am interested in becoming an Activity Director which my supervisor is hoping for since she is leading her career in another direction. So I am trying to figure out how to get the ball rolling - what needs to be done? I am so confused because I am reading from many different web sites reguarding "how to become an Activity Director" - some say you need a bach. degree - some just experience - some like this site "online class"? WOW! Not sure what I am getting myself into?

[UploallSmolla 0]

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!

[browndeborahlp 0]

Hi ,this is my first succesful log in as well. I hope navigating to specified areas get simplier along the way. Look forward to an exciting 16 weeks.

[browndeborahlp 0]

hi my name is Deborah Brown and I live in the panhandle of florida.I am new to this field and open to learning from every angle. I am a nurse by first profession and kind of happened into this position. I was in desperate need of eight hour week days with week-ends off when our Activity Director moved. I volunteered to fill in until one could be hired. Well long story short I was offered the position permanently and am now in the process of getting certified.

[derussell 0]

Hello! My name is Dani. I graduated in May of this year with degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Child and Family Studies. Although I've never worked in a Long-Term Care Facility before, I find myself becoming more and more compassionate about my work with each passing day. I know I have a lot to learn, and I'd greatly appreciate any and all help I can get. I'd appreciate it if anyone who remembers what it was like just starting out could shoot a few pointers my way.

 

Thank you for your time!

[jennb54 0]

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!

[jennb54 0]

Hello and welcome!

 

It's great to hear from you and look forward to the journey.

 

Bennie in Texas!

[jennb54 0]

Me too! We made it through week 1. Wow!

 

Bennie in Texas!

[Friendship1 0]

copy and paste this questionnaire so we can get to know each other better and have fun! Karen

 

What is your name? Amy Barker-Mitchell soon to be just Barker

 

What is your occupation? Providing the best quality of life for as many people as we can

 

•What are you listening to right now? Country Music

 

• What was the last thing you ate? hash browns

 

•Do you wish on stars? Sometimes

 

•If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green

 

•How is the weather right now? Wet and cloudy

 

•Last person you spoke to on the phone? My son's school LOL

 

•How old are you today?

34

•Favorite drink? Sweet Tea baby

 

•Favorite sport(s) to watch? Football and Soccer

 

•Have you ever dyed your hair? Nope I have my daughter's every shade possible lol

 

•Do you wear contacts or glasses? Contacts and glasses

 

•Pets? 4 dogs

 

•Favorite month? October

 

•Favorite food? WOW how does one pick with so many choices

 

•What was the last movie you watched? Taken

 

•Favorite day of the year? I am blessed every day so every day is my favorite

 

•Fall or Spring? Fall

 

•When was the last time you cried? At the Alz Conference on Friday

 

•What did you do last night? Helped my son with his project and read for class and watch grey's anatomy and private practice

 

•What inspires you? Teepa Snow

 

•What are you afraid of? heights

 

•Favorite car? My fav was passat before the timing chain broke and cost me 4000 dollars to fix so hmmm I really like the Mazda 3 but I do not own one.

 

•Favorite dog breed? Golden’s

 

•How many years at your current job? 2

 

•How many states have you lived in? 4-Utah, Virginia, North Carolina, and Arizona

 

•How many cities/towns have you lived in? WOW-Bristol, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Charlotte, Phoenix, Ogden and Salem

[penkay 1]

Hi Becky

It is all really hard to figure out! First off you need to take MEPAP (part 1) of the course. That will get you "Qualitified" to work in the long term care setting. This is all you need to have to meet the Fedral Guidelines FTAG 249 --

Now if you want to go on become "Certified" then you will need to take the second part of the MEPAP course.

You will also have someother requirements to become certified as set by NCCAP.org If you go to their site & look at the ADC & levels of certification for AD's you will see 4 tracks. You choose the track based upon your education level. Say you have no college then look at track 4 & you will need do everything that is under that track to get certified. The good thing is once you have done everything you will only have to renew every 2 years with CEU's.

It seems like it is overwhelming but if you take it 1 step at a time you can get it done. Once you take the MEPAP part 1 you have 5 years to fulfill all the requirement to getting certified.

You may also what to check your facility policy & procedure to see what they require.

This is what I found for Alaska state regs;

07 AAC 012.285. Activity Program. A nursing facility must provide an activity program that is available to all residents and encourages each

resident to attain and maintain function at the highest practicable level. The program must address the intellectual, social, spiritual, creative, cultural,

and physical needs, capabilities, and interests of each resident. Also, the program must encourage self-determination and well-being of the residents.

If a physician finds a resident as medically able to participate in an activity program, that finding and any conditions of the resident's participation or

contra-indications to that participation must be noted in the resident's record at the nursing facility. The activity program coordinator, with an

interdisciplinary team, shall develop the resident's individual activity program. The activity program coordinator shall consult as necessary with an

occupational or recreational therapist, unless the activity program coordinator meets the requirements of 42 C.F.R. 483.15(f)(2), revised as of

October 1, 1991.

I hope this helps you out.

Good luck

Pennie

 

Hello

 

My name is Becky, I live in Soldotna, Alaska. I work in a small 60 bed nursing facility as an activitiy team leader working in my department for over 5 yrs. and I am also a CNA since 1993. First of all I absolutley LOVE my job. I am interested in becoming an Activity Director which my supervisor is hoping for since she is leading her career in another direction. So I am trying to figure out how to get the ball rolling - what needs to be done? I am so confused because I am reading from many different web sites reguarding "how to become an Activity Director" - some say you need a bach. degree - some just experience - some like this site "online class"? WOW! Not sure what I am getting myself into?