RESOURCE ALERT!

Looking for user friendly material regarding the Activity F-tags #248/249??? Wondering what surveyors will ask and/or what they will look for when they come to your facility??? Do you need assessment and documentation tips to ensure activity planning is found throughout the care plans??? If you have answered yes to any of the above questions...

Please order the following resource...you won't be sorry!

Activties for Resident Centered Care:
Complying with F-tag #248 and F-tag #249

Call HcPro: 1.877.727.1728

If you have any questions please let me know! I have read this book and found it very useful.
Katie Westberg

Music to Our Ears!

The Arizona Grand Star Singers meet on Wednesday and Friday mornings for practice. They perform at 2 area nursing facilities monthly and perform four to five times a year for Arizona Grand. Anyone can be a part of the Star Singers, even family members accompany their loved ones to sing along during the big performances at Arizona Grand. The director is even one of our very own residents. If you would like more information on the Star Singers Chorus at Arizona Grand Senior Living Community in Phoenix, AZ contact Carmella Barber (Activity Director).

Spice up your exercise program

Some of us get stuck doing the same ol exercises. If they are boring for you maybe they are boring for our folks. Try some "props" to add excitement and fun to your fabulous fitness program. You have probably come across the styrofoam pool noodles. Why not bring them into your fitness routine?

• Buy 10 and cut in half( for 20)
• You now have an oar for a rowing exercise, a bar for pull ups, use the noodle in both arms and push away from the body. Use your imagination!
• Here is a favorite, hold the noodle extend the arms and bend noodle in half. Whoopee! light resistance for them. Now have them squeeze the noodle (good for arthritis)
• Remember the "thigh master"? Bend the noodle in half and put between the legs hold on and let them squeeze the knees together.

Enjoy your noodlerific addition to your exercise routine. The residents will thank you!

Daily Music Activities at Hillside Health Care...a "NOTEABLE" Success!

Aside from simply the pleasurable aesthetic, the experience of music promotes wellness through: managing stress, alleviating pain, enhancing memory, improving communication, promoting physical rehabilitation and expressing feelings.*

*American Music Therapy Association

With this in mind, the activities staff at Hillside Healthcare has implemented daily musical activities, which have consistently been found to be an effective modality for eliciting tangible positive outcomes across this spectrum of responses. In addition to stimulating memories, the creative use of music enables staff to facilitate interactions with residents in unique and meaningful ways. We believe that through nurturing imagination, creativity and inspiration we can demonstrate respect and appreciation for the aesthetic needs of our residents: through the expression of true aesthetic sensibility, staff may convey valuation of resident’s experience and contribute to enhancing their quality of life—social cohesion, sense of belonging, sensory acuity, self-awareness and personal dignity. By: Randal Wolfe, Activity Director

Activity Boards Show Off Activities!

West Hills Health Care in Portland, Oregon use Activity Picture Boards as a unique and creative way to show-off the great things going on in their property. Picture Boards, specificallyl in long term care communities, are a way to market activities which are not always visable to families and friends that visit. Large print labels allow for residents, as well as guests to identify the specific activity that is taking place. Way to go West Hills Health and Rehab!

Do I smell...Aromatherapy???

Greetings to all of you!

Many communties are inquiring about resources for implementing an Aromatheapy program using Grade A oils, as well as purchasing a quality diffuser. I am doing some research into a company that I used but am looking for you feedback. If you currently are facilitating a successful Aromatherapy program I would enjoy to hear about it. Please feel free to post your comments to this post or you can email me!

Thank you for your help! -Katie