Creating Excitement and Memories in Challenging Times
As the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across North America it’s becoming more of a priority to protect our vulnerable residents that live in elder care homes. Most homes have implemented strict no visitor, lockdown policies to keep residents safe and healthy. Part of this new normal is the implementation of social distancing measures which includes […]
Activity Suggestions and Best Practices for Limiting Exposure
Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak, we wanted to share some suggestions and best practices for limiting exposure to your residents. We know that large group gatherings are unacceptable during these times of a major outbreak, this is the ideal time to switch to unit-based (or Home Area) programs. And of course, since you probably have […]
Assisted Living Keeping Up with Changing Population Needs
This article explores how assisted living senior facilities are keeping up with the changing population needs as the aging baby boomers begin to need an increase with supportive living needs. The aging population is living longer, are more physically able, and more connected with technology than ever before. With the changing needs of our aging […]
Scoring with ActivityPro: Understanding the Quality of Your Resident’s Engagement
At ActivityPro, we care deeply about giving you the ability to accurately track the quality of resident engagement in your programs. This is why we use the 3,2,1 scoring system rather than assigning residents as “Active/Passive” or “Present/Absent”. By giving residents a number score, you can do so much more with the data than simply […]
Are You Protected From Movie Night Copyright Infringement?
The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation changed their rules in 2016 and a lot of nursing homes are finding out the hard way about the implications to an all-time favorite activity: showing movies. Under the previous rules organizations like libraries, schools, and senior living facilities were exempt from requiring a license to show movies. Now that […]
Getting Down to the Details for Departmental Reviews/Inspections
Do you sometimes wish others would just leave you and your staff alone, so you could get on with interacting with your residents, and provide great programs for them? Sure you do. However, like everyone in the care process, we are accountable. So whether it is your manager, your care team, family members or inspectors, […]
Guest Blogger – Activity Director Shares a Success Story about Pet Therapy in her Home
I am the Activity Director in a small Skilled Nursing Facility in Texas. We have many Alzheimer’s and Dementia residents, in varying stages. We recently had the privilege of having a beautiful 3-year-old beagle in our facility named Rudy. This was the first time we have had a large therapy animal come to us. We […]
The Benefits and Balance of Tracking Self Directed Activities
As a recreationist, you are committed to providing a wide range of programs that are relevant to your residents’ needs and interests. At the same time, many of your clients also engage in other leisure time pursuits that are not on your calendar (we call them self directed activities) – and that is fantastic. Some […]
Proving the Quality of Resident Engagement
For too many years, recreationists have simply relied on tabulating the frequency of resident participation in programs to validate success. In other words, the more often a resident attended programs, the better. Unfortunately such a measure doesn’t represent the quality of engagement, particularly if the resident sleeps through the program, or is distracted and disruptive. […]
Making Tech the Recreationist’s Friend & Ally
Considerations for Both Tech Adopters and Luddites There are two very different types of technology users today: (1) those who love all things “tech” and don’t understand how anyone could exist today without looking at a device (including laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) at least 23 times/day; and (2) those who wish they could revert to […]
Modifying Programs: Staying Focused on the Primary Domain
When residents are experiencing limited success in a program, it is our job to modify our approach, and perhaps the program, to meet them where they are (see the previous post called “Person-Centered Programming – Meeting Residents Where They Are”). We do this to ensure the residents are having a positive, rewarding, and successful program […]
Person-Centered Programming – Meeting Residents Where They Are
As recreation specialists, we know that it is our responsibility to provide programs that residents want and need. However, there are times when we find a resident is not suited to a particular program – they are unable to do what is is being asked (it may be because it is an unfamiliar task, or […]
Managing the Insertion of Residents Not Suited to Programs
You have created your new program, carefully selecting the appropriate expected outcomes relative to the abilities of the residents you have invited to the activity. You are vigorous in your efforts to ensure that you are “meeting the residents where they are” relative to matching residents to programs in which they have the ability to […]
Managing the Removal of Residents From Programs by Others
How many times have you started a program, only to have a front line staff person come in part way through the activity to take the resident for a bath, or a family member to take them for a ride. While the intent may be positive, the impact for the resident, other participants and you […]
What Are Your Expected Outcomes?
When creating an new program, you are likely expected to create a program profile, or description. Usually this includes core details, such as program Goals, Procedures (how to run the program) and Requirements (needed equipment, supplies, staff, volunteers, contacts, etc.). When creating your programs with ActivityPro, or even on paper, the identification of Expected Outcomes […]
6 Secrets to Get Families Involved with Your Programming
Involving families in certain types of programs for residents, and in certain circumstances, should be seen as a positive approach to programming. Rather than voicing concern that you are not providing enough programming, when families become involved, they know that their loved-one is engaged, and they see first hand how well you are doing your […]
Finding and Engaging the Non-Engagers
Every home has residents we call “reluctant” engagers – people who make the decision they do not want to be involved in programming. They obviously present a special challenge to the recreation staff, because we want everyone to be involved! As recreationists, we must accept two import facts: Residents have the right to choose, and […]
Enlist other staff to help track resident engagement
We know how busy the workday is for recreation staff. You get into work, turn on your computer, have a sip of your morning coffee and then a co-worker comes by to say hello… Next thing you know you’re five minutes away from starting the Chair Exercise program! You spend 15 minutes portering the residents […]
The S.O.S. Programming Trend: Short, Often, Smaller!
Yes, if you work in a typical long term care (LTC) community, it is time to send out an S.O.S. announcement about the direction of your programs! And the key message about where your programs are headed is: Short – as in more programs being shorter in length Often- as in offering programs more frequently […]
