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 […]
National Fun Day
January 28th is National Fun Day at Work. Our clients know all about creating fun in the workplace as they tirelessly create fun and rewarding activities and engagement for their clients, patients, and residents. Today may be a good day to engage all the other employees at the organization to get involved in the fun! […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Residents At Risk Report: Not Just for Finding Risky Residents
ActivityPro users know that the Resident at Risk (RAR) report, located front and center on the dashboard, is one of the most helpful tools available to the department. You are able to set resident engagement benchmarks so that you are constantly and automatically aware of participation rates and the quality of resident engagement. You can […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Be the “Star” at Family Care Conferences
Resident care conferences with families represent a fantastic opportunity for you to really show how great your home and Recreation Department are doing in terms of meeting the needs and responding to the interests of the resident. When families attend the “annual” multidisciplinary care conference, the other department may primarily focus on information and data […]
