Newsline Article: “The Value of Getting Involved”
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” Abigail Adams
Are you an Ostrich? Do you hide your candle under a bushel basket? Are you lost in a sea of same old-same old? If you’re as old as some of us, each of these phrases has distinct meanings. Look around you, participate in life, share your talents and skills, try something new, don’t be afraid to fail. Every one of these are challenges we throw to our residents each day but sometimes forget for ourselves.
Incredible opportunities are available in a myriad of places for Activity Professionals to learn, to find new ideas, to share, to network, to mentor and be mentored and to get support. Online classes and chats, social media, conferences and 2 day short courses can be splendid but are only part of the puzzle. Networking in our own communities can’t be replaced. Face to face interaction with other professionals who understand the geographic culture provides immediate information, support and the opportunity to discuss ideas and concerns in a small group environment. It can even provide a safe environment to attempt a new skill. On-line basic classes have cropped up everywhere and have been endorsed by NCCAP and NAAPC but then what? Where does the broad base of knowledge that is needed come from when the student has studied alone, had one practical advisor and then scoots out of class and into a job that by design sets us apart from the mainstream of the industry where we work? To do our jobs, we have to be masters at interaction, so finding and participating in learning opportunities that are functionally interactive is imperative to ensure we keep growing.
It can be daunting to find the right niche for each building we serve, especially when so many facilities and communities have a skewed sense of the Activity Department. It’s hard to slowly and oh so patiently change the expectations so that the Activities Department can fulfill its true purpose. How often do we get caught up in hosting amazing celebrations and pass on the responsibility of conferences that may not seem to be obviously fruitful? Are we cultivating professional alliances in the facility so that we can fully accomplish our purpose? Do we participate in meetings where residents care and status is discussed? Do we keep an open dialogue with nursing and social services so that we can report declines, behaviors or life concerns that emerge during our interactions with residents? Do our Activity colleagues share the same purpose? We, as a professional organization, work to provide quality information and opportunities that foster the common purpose; we share and we problem solve – together.
What did you do this week that advanced the value of your department within your community or facility? What do you track for CQI meetings? What new idea did you try this week? this month? Whom did you mentor this week? Whom did you network with? Did you fail this week? What did you learn? What will you do differently? Whom will you go to for help? What new professional information did you find this week and whom did you share it with? What are your weaknesses? How do you offset those weaknesses? This type of information, shared in trust and discussed in trust, with qualified colleagues can provide a solid foundation for achievement.
Actively participating in our profession and our own professional development keeps us personally vital, keeps us moving forward in long term care and in the end makes the most difference for each and every one of our residents’ lives. Your local FHCACA District is a terrific place to start updating yourself so you can provide the finest service possible to your residents and your teammates. Be flexible, be committed, and find your inspiration! Go for it!
Respectfully Submitted by: District XIV, where education meets inspiration, adaptation and practicality
DeAnna Chambers, Secretary, University Center East Nursing & Rehab
Newsline Article: “Making the jump into “Directorship”
Recently during a CEU class a national speaker reminded the participants that “We reinforce negative behavior and expressions by how we respond.” We were talking about resident behaviors but when you pause to reflect, this statement applies to every facet of life. Responses are communications to those around us and can be related verbally, through body language, eye contact, etc. Which brings up the question “Are we our own worst enemies?”
Far and wide Activity Professionals talk about the lack of respect and understanding for what we do. Part of that stems from a difference of experience and how things are conveyed in communications. When you talk with the Administrator, are you communicating in a business manner? When you talk with the nursing staff are you framing the conversation using a structure that is familiar to the nurses?
Consider these scenarios “The facility needs a cotton candy machine; I wanted to see if we could buy one?” or “When you have a few minutes I’d like to discuss a project with you. The residents would like to have a cotton candy machine, I’ve priced them at x dollars and it’s outside my budget, I’d like to discuss options for funding the request“ By using the second scenario you have validated the Administrator’s position, considered the time and budget pressures and that as a department director you are a team player and accepting the responsibility to find a solution. Now look at this nursing communication “Mr. Jones isn’t doing well, he isn’t participating in activities even though we all invite him.” Versus “Mr. Jones appears to be undergoing some changes – he no longer wants to participate in his favorite activities, his conversations have become shorter and he seems to be having trouble breathing when I visit him. I’ve checked his chart and didn’t find any notes that would indicate breathing issues or refusals of treatment. He’s still very polite and hasn’t indicated any psych issues just seems lethargic – have you heard anything?” Again you have validated the nurse’s position and placed yourself in the position of a qualified team member by stating facts of interest to the nurse, taken the time to review the resident’s information and are asking a relevant question rather than “dumping” information that has to be processed by someone else.
Now let’s look at our department. What do we do? What is the purpose for our profession? If we listen to ourselves, all too often we find the conversations revolve around the latest party, the latest celebration, that one resident moment – but those are all only moments in time. Of course they are important but aren’t we trained to dig deeper? When you go home is your life about the parties and the celebrations? No, it’s about cooking and paying bills, it’s about planning for the next thing, it’s about working and juggling life, it’s about having a purpose and expectations. Widows and widowers quite often have lost the main purpose of their lives, many are retired so they’ve also lost the structure that work provided, many lost these without having the time or skills to rebuild meaning before being hauled off to the hospital and finally landing in a facility. Our newer residents sometimes come to us because of unhealthy lifestyles that have taken a toll on their bodies. Yet these residents also had a structure, had a daily purpose. Are we equipping ourselves to help them rebuild a life with structure and expectations or are we just ensuring that they have opportunities to keep their bodies and minds moving? Are we just providing options and invitations or opportunities for purpose that is meaningful to them? Are we just filling in the blanks provided to us by the charts or are we truly considering what each resident values and how we can help them. In another class, a discussion ensued about short-term residents and the huge impact Activity Departments can have in the lives of these residents. Many of them are also at a time in their lives where things are changing quickly – at retirement age, new physical issues, family movement. Helping these residents find new interests, new purpose, even new friends before they “jet” is a challenge but one that can have a tremendously lasting effect.
We hear often about our role to provide residents’ “quality of life”. As a department director we need to consider all that this encompasses. What does “quality of life” entail, how would we write a goal based on that role? A purpose and a mission are meaningless unless specific goals can be identified to ensure the mission is met. Have you written a mission for your department? Have you written the goals? Are they attainable? Are they measurable? How often do you review the mission? How often do you evaluate the department goals? Who outside of your department knows the stated mission for your department? Is it prominently displayed along with your certificates? Are you and your Administrator in agreement with the mission and goals of your department? If you haven’t done any one or all of these the question is why? The outcome of not defining and sharing missions and goals is miscommunication and misunderstanding. You are allowing others – who are not trained in our complex discipline – to define your department. Not keeping missions and goals clearly front and center means progress is undefined. If you don’t have one, sit down with your team and write one, if you do – review it, is it still viable? Evaluate the goals again. Do you need to put a new action plan in place to achieve the goal? You are the only one qualified to write the specific mission and goals for your department – remember the mission set out by the company you work for it just that “a company mission” now it needs to be fine tuned for your individual facility and it’s your job. You’re the professional in charge.
These steps are all about communication. Everyone knows the purpose of a nurse, of an administrator and of a dietary manager, professionally communicating the straight forward purpose of the Activity Professional is our job and how it’s defined comes from us whether we do it purposefully or unwittingly.
Respectfully Submitted by: District XIV, where education meets inspiration, adaptation and practicality
FHCACA District XIV
DeAnna Chambers, Secretary, University Center East Nursing & Rehab
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” Abigail Adams
Are you an Ostrich? Do you hide your candle under a bushel basket? Are you lost in a sea of same old-same old? If you’re as old as some of us, each of these phrases has distinct meanings. Look around you, participate in life, share your talents and skills, try something new, don’t be afraid to fail. Every one of these are challenges we throw to our residents each day but sometimes forget for ourselves.
Incredible opportunities are available in a myriad of places for Activity Professionals to learn, to find new ideas, to share, to network, to mentor and be mentored and to get support. Online classes and chats, social media, conferences and 2 day short courses can be splendid but are only part of the puzzle. Networking in our own communities can’t be replaced. Face to face interaction with other professionals who understand the geographic culture provides immediate information, support and the opportunity to discuss ideas and concerns in a small group environment. It can even provide a safe environment to attempt a new skill. On-line basic classes have cropped up everywhere and have been endorsed by NCCAP and NAAPC but then what? Where does the broad base of knowledge that is needed come from when the student has studied alone, had one practical advisor and then scoots out of class and into a job that by design sets us apart from the mainstream of the industry where we work? To do our jobs, we have to be masters at interaction, so finding and participating in learning opportunities that are functionally interactive is imperative to ensure we keep growing.
It can be daunting to find the right niche for each building we serve, especially when so many facilities and communities have a skewed sense of the Activity Department. It’s hard to slowly and oh so patiently change the expectations so that the Activities Department can fulfill its true purpose. How often do we get caught up in hosting amazing celebrations and pass on the responsibility of conferences that may not seem to be obviously fruitful? Are we cultivating professional alliances in the facility so that we can fully accomplish our purpose? Do we participate in meetings where residents care and status is discussed? Do we keep an open dialogue with nursing and social services so that we can report declines, behaviors or life concerns that emerge during our interactions with residents? Do our Activity colleagues share the same purpose? We, as a professional organization, work to provide quality information and opportunities that foster the common purpose; we share and we problem solve – together.
What did you do this week that advanced the value of your department within your community or facility? What do you track for CQI meetings? What new idea did you try this week? this month? Whom did you mentor this week? Whom did you network with? Did you fail this week? What did you learn? What will you do differently? Whom will you go to for help? What new professional information did you find this week and whom did you share it with? What are your weaknesses? How do you offset those weaknesses? This type of information, shared in trust and discussed in trust, with qualified colleagues can provide a solid foundation for achievement.
Actively participating in our profession and our own professional development keeps us personally vital, keeps us moving forward in long term care and in the end makes the most difference for each and every one of our residents’ lives. Your local FHCACA District is a terrific place to start updating yourself so you can provide the finest service possible to your residents and your teammates. Be flexible, be committed, and find your inspiration! Go for it!
Respectfully Submitted by: District XIV, where education meets inspiration, adaptation and practicality
DeAnna Chambers, Secretary, University Center East Nursing & Rehab
Newsline Article: “Making the jump into “Directorship”
Recently during a CEU class a national speaker reminded the participants that “We reinforce negative behavior and expressions by how we respond.” We were talking about resident behaviors but when you pause to reflect, this statement applies to every facet of life. Responses are communications to those around us and can be related verbally, through body language, eye contact, etc. Which brings up the question “Are we our own worst enemies?”
Far and wide Activity Professionals talk about the lack of respect and understanding for what we do. Part of that stems from a difference of experience and how things are conveyed in communications. When you talk with the Administrator, are you communicating in a business manner? When you talk with the nursing staff are you framing the conversation using a structure that is familiar to the nurses?
Consider these scenarios “The facility needs a cotton candy machine; I wanted to see if we could buy one?” or “When you have a few minutes I’d like to discuss a project with you. The residents would like to have a cotton candy machine, I’ve priced them at x dollars and it’s outside my budget, I’d like to discuss options for funding the request“ By using the second scenario you have validated the Administrator’s position, considered the time and budget pressures and that as a department director you are a team player and accepting the responsibility to find a solution. Now look at this nursing communication “Mr. Jones isn’t doing well, he isn’t participating in activities even though we all invite him.” Versus “Mr. Jones appears to be undergoing some changes – he no longer wants to participate in his favorite activities, his conversations have become shorter and he seems to be having trouble breathing when I visit him. I’ve checked his chart and didn’t find any notes that would indicate breathing issues or refusals of treatment. He’s still very polite and hasn’t indicated any psych issues just seems lethargic – have you heard anything?” Again you have validated the nurse’s position and placed yourself in the position of a qualified team member by stating facts of interest to the nurse, taken the time to review the resident’s information and are asking a relevant question rather than “dumping” information that has to be processed by someone else.
Now let’s look at our department. What do we do? What is the purpose for our profession? If we listen to ourselves, all too often we find the conversations revolve around the latest party, the latest celebration, that one resident moment – but those are all only moments in time. Of course they are important but aren’t we trained to dig deeper? When you go home is your life about the parties and the celebrations? No, it’s about cooking and paying bills, it’s about planning for the next thing, it’s about working and juggling life, it’s about having a purpose and expectations. Widows and widowers quite often have lost the main purpose of their lives, many are retired so they’ve also lost the structure that work provided, many lost these without having the time or skills to rebuild meaning before being hauled off to the hospital and finally landing in a facility. Our newer residents sometimes come to us because of unhealthy lifestyles that have taken a toll on their bodies. Yet these residents also had a structure, had a daily purpose. Are we equipping ourselves to help them rebuild a life with structure and expectations or are we just ensuring that they have opportunities to keep their bodies and minds moving? Are we just providing options and invitations or opportunities for purpose that is meaningful to them? Are we just filling in the blanks provided to us by the charts or are we truly considering what each resident values and how we can help them. In another class, a discussion ensued about short-term residents and the huge impact Activity Departments can have in the lives of these residents. Many of them are also at a time in their lives where things are changing quickly – at retirement age, new physical issues, family movement. Helping these residents find new interests, new purpose, even new friends before they “jet” is a challenge but one that can have a tremendously lasting effect.
We hear often about our role to provide residents’ “quality of life”. As a department director we need to consider all that this encompasses. What does “quality of life” entail, how would we write a goal based on that role? A purpose and a mission are meaningless unless specific goals can be identified to ensure the mission is met. Have you written a mission for your department? Have you written the goals? Are they attainable? Are they measurable? How often do you review the mission? How often do you evaluate the department goals? Who outside of your department knows the stated mission for your department? Is it prominently displayed along with your certificates? Are you and your Administrator in agreement with the mission and goals of your department? If you haven’t done any one or all of these the question is why? The outcome of not defining and sharing missions and goals is miscommunication and misunderstanding. You are allowing others – who are not trained in our complex discipline – to define your department. Not keeping missions and goals clearly front and center means progress is undefined. If you don’t have one, sit down with your team and write one, if you do – review it, is it still viable? Evaluate the goals again. Do you need to put a new action plan in place to achieve the goal? You are the only one qualified to write the specific mission and goals for your department – remember the mission set out by the company you work for it just that “a company mission” now it needs to be fine tuned for your individual facility and it’s your job. You’re the professional in charge.
These steps are all about communication. Everyone knows the purpose of a nurse, of an administrator and of a dietary manager, professionally communicating the straight forward purpose of the Activity Professional is our job and how it’s defined comes from us whether we do it purposefully or unwittingly.
Respectfully Submitted by: District XIV, where education meets inspiration, adaptation and practicality
FHCACA District XIV
DeAnna Chambers, Secretary, University Center East Nursing & Rehab
