Abuse?

[Danianne]

How about putting your residents in fron of the T.V. for most or all of a 8 hr shift? Our facility has a barely functioning activity program, it is designed for people who can hold a convesation or transfer themselves on to a bus seat or walk unassisted, however the trend of our facility has been heading towards moderate to advanced dementia. So therefore a majority of the residents cannot go on outings. Also the music programs have been shuttered to one VERY small "activity room that is designed for 6 people in wheelchairs max because the "noise" is agitating for one or two residents out of 40 instead of the music being in the common area of the facility. the only "pet visit" we get is one dog once a month and only visits " select" residents. It is VERY frustrating.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

No, this would not be considered abuse. But a lack of appropriate activities IS a potential F-tag for your facility should your state survey team walk in the door tomorrow morning, and I would think your administrator would want to correct that before it becomes a citation. Have you spoken with him/her about your concerns regarding the activity program? How about the activities director him/herself? Do they know what constitutes 'appropriate' activities for the different types of residents housed in your building?

Although this isn't really a nursing concern, I'm glad you realize how important activities are in the lives of LTC residents. Currently I share your frustration, as I'm the DON for an assisted living community whose activity director seems to think daily yoga classes, once-a-month shopping trips and the occasional afternoon speaker are sufficient for a group of mostly active seniors with only mild to moderate dementia. I've warned my boss that the residents and families are complaining, and I KNOW we're going to get cited for it, but to date nothing has changed. I hope you have better luck than I have so far!

[Danianne]

nah I live in Canada. I just started at this current facility. The rec director is only interested in taking the higher functioning people to activities. I am going to talk to the director of care tomorrow. It is just sad that they sit in the living room ALL day long no kidding and watch T.V.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

CMS has just come out with new regulations for ACTIVITIES. Failure to meet the criteria is now a G level tag! We are supposed to be providing activities based on the resident's functional status, likes and dislikes. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but from what I hear, much of it concers short term, younger rehab residents.

And just because you're old, doesn't mean you like bingo. I took care of a 94 year old woman....I asked her if she wanted to go to the main DR to play bingo. She looked shocked and then said to me, "Honey, I am 94 years old--I never have played BINGO and I'm not going to start now....besides I'm Episcopalian and everyone knows BINGO is only for those Catholics!!" I was laughing so hard I had to leave the room!!