new to site looking for activity info

Hello and to Allnurses.com

Great to have you with us. Enjoy the forums.

Welcome to the site and to your new job, Tabby! It takes a special person to ensure that these old dears have fun on a daily basis (sorry, assuming you're working in long-term care).

I've never worked activities myself but do know that the job is much harder than it looks. What I can tell you is try to be patient with the nursing staff; I've had more than one occasion where I'd have to pull a resident from an activity, not so much because it's a convenient time for me, but because they require a procedure that has been ordered for a particular time. I know this annoys the activities people, but sometimes it can't be helped. Personally, I always make a point to apologize for the interruption and return the resident to his/her fun as soon a possible, but you may find some nurses or CNAs will just come in and take them without so much as a "by your leave." These people aren't trying to be mean, they're just trying to get their jobs done in a stressful work environment.

You can also utilize the staff; when you're new to a place, you don't know each individual's habits, likes/dislikes, diet restrictions, etc. and it can be pretty overwhelming. If you have a stable staff, your nurses and CNAs are a great resource.

Sorry I can't be more specific as far as particular activities...I did find a pretty neat website that lists some ideas:

http://activityprofessional.com/ideas.html

Good luck to you; you are in such a rewarding field.

Hey, Tab...I'm in PDX too! I'll ask around. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll respond with any leads.

"....these old dears"????? sounds rather condescending.

I don't think it's meant to be insulting, perhaps more a term of endearment.

I would find it condescending, demeaning, and insulting, but then again, I was raised to be extremely polite and always refer to my patients/residents as Mr or Mrs unless they specifically ask me to call them something else.

Nope, of course I didn't mean for it to sound condescending. I am always extremely polite when dealing with residents and I feel them out before I presume to use terms of endearment such as "Sweetie"...not that I should have to justify myself on a message board.