Baby-ish Activities?

[Jo Dirt]

The activities director and coordinator at the LTC facility where I am employed work very hard, but they have been there many years and it seems they need some new ideas. The activities are so childish it is embarrassing.

I've heard of once a man twice a child but this takes the cake.

They buy decorations at Wal-Mart that are used to decorate 2nd grade classrooms and put them up around the nursing home. The activities consist of bingo and church. Today, the activities coordinator came and put an announcement on my desk advertising "National PJ Day" and a "slumber" party. I don't think I'm just being no fun or a stick in the mud or unappreciative of their efforts...the DON was there and said, "this is ridiculous." They act like they are entertaining 6 year olds, not adults. It is becoming very annoying to me but I would hate to burst their bubble or rain on their parade, they're very good people (but come on!)

Christmas is cheesy, especially the employee Christmas party. They buy a bunch of cheap crummy gifts for the party and I know it's the thought that counts but I can't believe there was much thought put into those gifts...

I would like to leave them an anonymous letter with some constructive criticism and suggestions on how to update their system. Can anyone give me any ideas? I was thinking at Christmas, rather than a bunch of junky things they could have a few really nice ones and just let everyone enjoy the food and company at the party, rather than worrying about everyone getting a gift for the sake of getting a gift.

If all anyone has to offer is a smart remark about how I need to worry about being a nurse and let the activities people do their jobs just save it. I'm not trying to be "better" or "superior" to anyone, it's a matter of seeing the patients treated in ways that honor their status as elderly people in a dignified way, not with big plastic childrens' decorations.

[cheleb61]

We have someone in charge of our Christmas party every year. They have bake sales and cookouts throughout the year to fund our party. They also do 50/50 raffles. Last year they gave away a laptop computer, a Nintendo Wii, luggage set, flat screen tv, ipod, and many other awesome prizes.

As far as the activities for the residents go...is there any kind of resident council that you can meet with? Ask them what kind of activities they would be interested in. Suggest crafts, cooking, or even a walk outside when it is nice. Get together with the rehab department and/or Restorative department and in an attempt to assist with exercises for the resident, organize an exercise group for them. Bowling is a great exercise/activity they can do. Trivia is a great activity for the alert residents too!!

Hope that helps!!

[Nantucket1979]

I think the best way to approach the situation is not to point out what you feel they are doing wrong, and from your post I agree with you, that you should make suggestions. Like "would the residents just love if we had a car show this summer where they could go out and look at all the classic cars", or "maybe the residents would enjoy having some entertainment come in like a barber shop quartet". Things like that may spark their creativity. Hope this helps so that your residents do not have to feel like children anymore. Just remember that everyone's budgets are limited right now.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I work at an ALF, and the activities range from church and Bingo to shopping trips, yoga, concerts, Wii games, and (yesterday) a resident doll show. Has anyone asked the residents what they would like?

[noc4senuf]

As someone else mentioned, our budgets are pretty strained right now d/t the economy. Our residents choose their activities which range rom dining out monthly, ordering food in, bingo, lots of church (we are a catholic facility), reiki, exercises, reading of the newspaper, trivia, and a multitude of others. It may be that the residents enjoy the activities that they have.