Budget

[tammy5 0]

Hello, My name is Tammy.

I'm completely new to the Activity Director World. I do not currently or have i ever worked in a nursing home. I'm so excited about Learning and beginning this career. I have a question or two for anyone out there that can answer. When it comes to a Budget, ow do they figure a budget for your facility? Is it usually enough to get you through the year. What are some ways we can avoid cutting into the budget for event planning. Other then Schools and Church's what are some good networking opportunities. Okay that will do for now. Just a few questions i have been thinking about.

thanks for your help and insight.

 

Tammy

[Lanorek 0]

Hi Tammy,

I am new to the MEPEP classes. I too am very excited about learning the

ends and outs of activities with Seniors. Where I now serve our budget comes from the Admin office and is a monthly budget. It stays the same amount each month for the entire year. It is not enough to do all we would like but a nice budget none the less. We have support from several churches as you mention above and one local food organization that aid us in many ways. To avoid over spending I plan very closely many months in advance, do smart shopping for those items that go on sale especially holiday items and use our kitchen area to make food items myself which is cheaper than buying a lot of pre made items. It is also healthier. However, I am not serving at a normal long term care location but working with seniors (most with disabilities) still trying to live semi independently on their own therefore, I do not have some of the food rules and restrictions other centers would. The dollar store is a good friend of mine for the budget. However, I just find it is the littlest of things that make activities work not spending a great deal of money. Hope that helps!

Kim L.

Edited May 10, 2010 by Lanorek

[pkc 0]

I am in an independent so I can't address some of your questions. However some areas to try. Local independent locations might be able to come and perform. As well as getting volunteers from banks or corporations. I would also contact other local facilities and see if you can work out a sharing of decorations and lists of performers.

 

This site is great for ideas the people who write are wonderful!

[heavenstar 0]

I also work in Independent Living, but I will tell you what works for me.

My budget is handled by the residents council! They determine what I can spend or not-- and they do not like to spend anything!

It is a yearly budget-- $500 for decorations (which includes helium rentals)

$1200 for entertainers-- we have about 14 parties where we hire out entertainers (once a month and 4th of July and New Years) Of course, not every entertainer will settle for $100 so several times a year, we get entertainers that come to us for free-- grandchildren, piano classes, residents themselves, volunteers. Then we can spend more on the paid entertainers.

Also, we spend about $150 a month on the birthday parties for ice cream and cake (to serve a 150 people)We have to also buy all the kitchen supplies-- utensils, plates and cups in addition to coffee and whatever else we want to eat.

We have to pay for our piano tuning, exercise equipment tune-ups, wii bowling league registration and anything else for the benefit of the residents. The apartment complex is strictly a housing facility and anything else is paid for by us.

With that said.. we have LOTS of fundraisers-- membership dues, bake sales, garage sales, spaghetti dinners, garden sales, jewelry showcase and many more. We are fortunate to have a great community support system and can often find donations in that form. ExxonMobil is awesome-- they will come to us once or twice a year and do community service, then give us a check for a couple of thousand dollars. Unfortunately for us, they will not be coming back this year due to everything that is going on.

My budget for activities is nil! If I want to do a game night or crafts class or play pokeno-- the residents pay for it out of their own pocket or it gets donated by someone (usually me )

Our budget is around $6000 a year-- with an income of that much too.

This probably doesn't help you. lol

[LLisa 0]

Budget will be different at every facility. It is determined per patient day usually. Ask your Administrator to explain the amount you are allocated per month. Here are some ways you can event plan with help from outside sources:

 

 

1. Recruit volunteers from Universities. Maybe they will fund raise for you. They may provide hand painted decorations, balloons, offer their services for parties.

2. If it is a large community event such as an Easter Egg Hunt, or Trick or Treat. Write a letter on Company Letter Head and visit local merchants to participate in the event, donate prizes, or money.

3. Have a fundraiser to support the event. Make signs early stating the event, time, and the kind of donations you are looking for. Family members often will want to get involved and donate.

4. Start early to increase your funds well ahead of time.

5. If your units are broken up into neighborhoods the staff and residents of the neighborhood could offer to sign up and help. They will bring in items for a party, napkins, balloons, or could make something together as a group project.

 

Often there are many workers in the building outside your department who would donate time, talent, money, or stuff. Create personal relationships with the staff and families so you know where the hidden talents are. Keep everyone informed of your ideas and upcoming events so they have time to plan. Ask for their suggestions so they can take some ownership in the event.

 

Good luck with your budgeting. It is never easy, but soon you'll know what you have to do to keep things moving.

[cindylu 0]

>b

Hello, My name is Tammy.

I'm completely new to the Activity Director World. I do not currently or have i ever worked in a nursing home. I'm so excited about Learning and beginning this career. I have a question or two for anyone out there that can answer. When it comes to a Budget, ow do they figure a budget for your facility? Is it usually enough to get you through the year. What are some ways we can avoid cutting into the budget for event planning. Other then Schools and Church's what are some good networking opportunities. Okay that will do for now. Just a few questions i have been thinking about.

thanks for your help and insight.

 

Tammy

[scastillo66 0]

>b

 

 

Hi its Sindy again and I just wanted to say that for our facility its small so ours isn't that much I'm guessing. Even so if you have a small budget the residents are old school and try to stay cheap and save so I go to the Dollar Treeand get them a few things for prizes when we play bingo or some thing. They love that too. Or to just play for quarters for the coke and candy machine we have in our facility. But like for prizes from the Dollar tree we get them colognes, perfumes, shampoo and conditioner, watches, make up, bath and body stuff, purses, socks, hats, decor for their rooms. and its cheap and they love it! Maybe they have a Dollar Tree where your from?