activities coordinator NEWBIE

[deband]

hi everyone i have been in the care sector for many years from hospitals to residential and nurseing homes i have enjoyed my time as a carer/senior carer i have just been offerd a job in a residential home of 24 residents as a activities coordinator and cant wait to start my new job role i have free range on this to be able to make it work for the residents in my care i would be glad of any information to help me on my way my first point of call would be to introduce myself to each resident and find out about there interests hobbies etc i also will be trying to create a homes news letter each month would preciate any help on this

kind regards
debbie

 

[jeany123]

Hello and welcome to TP if you put activities coordinator in search at the top right side you will find quite a few threads about this and you might get a few ideas from them,


Best Wishes Jeany

 

[deband]

newbie

hi jenny thank you for the warm welcome and help

 

[kingmidas1962]

Hi, and welcome! I cant offer a great deal of advice but the search as recommended (and other TP'ers with more experience) will help.

The only thing I will say (which I'm sure you already know) is to be sure, as much as you can, that residents want to participate. My dad HATES any shared activities of any kind (he has Picks Disease - frontal lobe dementia) and people generally make him very nervous. On the few occasions when his home tried to 'socialise' him (at our request as we thought he might be bored) all he did was try to get back to his room, resulting on falls on occasion. He's never been a social person - so there's no big change there.

Finding out about each resident - from their family and friends, if they cannot tell you - is absolutely essential.

Good luck!

 

[rajahh]

My husband is a bit of a loner too. He is not in a home except for respite, but the thing he would really take part in would be seated exercises.

We used to have someone who came to our complex ( sheltered housing) and he always went to that. He could not do all the exercises but was always willing to do his best.

One of the things they did was to have a square of material which everyone had to hold, so you were in a ring then a ball was placed in the middle and the ball was made to roll towards someone who then had to make it roll to someone else. It used to cause a lot of laughs.

He also enjoyed communal singing.

Jeannette

 

[Loopiloo]

Hello Debbie and congrats on your new job as Actiities Organizer. 24 sounds a good number of residents. My husband's care home has 62, in six different wings. The dementia one he is in has 16 residents. Two AOs and 62 is a lot of residents between them.

Will you be working with dementia patients?

If residents have a Memory or Life Book with photos and some of their history, this can be a valuable way of getting to know the individual residents. Maybe a quick look through it on your own, then a one-to--one going through it with the resident. The AO who covers my husband's dementia wing does this from time to time.

For those with no mobility, chairbound, in wheelchairs, what Jeannette mentions about rolling a ball to each other is a good idea. My husband can - or could - play carpet bowls from his chair, and it was surprising how many of the other dementia residents joined in - although briefly before they lost interest.

Anything musical is usually popular. Chair exercises/games to music, etc. Those who are mobile usually enjoy a wee dance with the AO.

Good luck and hope to hear how you get on.

Loo

 

[Lexber]

Another Newbie AC

Hi all, I'm Nicky and I'm also an activities coordinator, I only started my role in August but absolutely love my job
This is my first job in the care sector and I job share with another lady in my CH, which has helped me get into the job alot easier. I've been on this forum for the last 2 hours viewing and searching for some new ideas so thought I should join and say hi as I think it could be a great place to visit

Merry Christmas to you all,


Nicky xxx

 

[susana53]

Hi. I've been a freelance activity co-ordinator for 8 years now, so if I can help in any way, please don't be afraid to ask. A good source of information for all A.C.s is on facebook. The page is called UKGeriactive and we all help each other on there.

 

[Aquamanda]

Best of luck in your new post; sounds great. I take the point that some residents do not like communal activities but the other side of that is that there will be some people who won't be aware that an activity is starting, even if it is listed somewhere, as they may not be able to keep track of time, so it's worth rounding those people up to join in!
In my mothers ch, they do a 'word wheel' every morning, which is really popular, the other things they love are listening to music, singing along to old songs, doing quizzes and crosswords as a group, playing bingo, talking about the old days, watching films, having entertainers in. Also, one thing which is really popular is that a local farm bring in baby animals, like kittens and guinea pigs and also dogs to stroke. The ch also celebrates things like the olympics, james bond movies, etc by having themed days, e.g. when the new bond film came out, one of the staff dressed as james bond and played roulette with some of them - they loved it!

 

[susana53]

Please remember this important thing.

If your person with dementia does nothing all day, what are you doing to help? It's hard for people with dementia to initiate anything, so just because they sit all day, doesn't mean they want to. In fact, it's more likely to be depressing for them. They may stay silent because they can't start a conversation. They need stuff to do and it's your job to find out what that might be. Look to what they used to do when they were able to choose what they did. Get them doing jobs with you. It's not the standard of the doing, it's the doing that's important.

 

[Kimi]

Looking to start my own freelance activities co-ordinator venture. But how?

Hi. I've been a freelance activity co-ordinator for 8 years now, so if I can help in any way, please don't be afraid to ask. A good source of information for all A.C.s is on facebook. The page is called UKGeriactive and we all help each other on there.

Hi Susana,
I am looking into starting up as a freelance activities co-ordinator in the southeast kent, but not sure how or where to start, or whether it is feasible? I would appreciate any information or your links you have to start me off.

thank you
Kimi

 

[susana53]

Hi Susana,
I am looking into starting up as a freelance activities co-ordinator in the southeast kent, but not sure how or where to start, or whether it is feasible? I would appreciate any information or your links you have to start me off.

thank you
Kimi

Sorry for the delaying replying. I started by researching care homes in my area, looking to see if they had activities already. Then I wrote to a few, giving details about myself and what I had to offer. It just went from there. Just remember that you are limited to the hours you can work due to meal times, sleep times etc. Also being self employed you don't get paid if you're off sick, no paid holidays, you can get cancelled at short notice if they have over booked and forgotten to tell you etc.
For help with activities etc. go to the facebook page previously mentioned.
Hope that helps.x

 

[Christin]

I just wanted to add that my FIL didn't really like group activity sessions and seemed to prefer to stay in his room. However the NH did have a pets corner and we understand that sometimes small animals were taken to him so that he could stroke them. He always loved our pet animals. Maybe it is something the home would consider.

Very best wishes and good luck with activities. X

 

[susannahmac]

Freelance

Hi there

I work as an Activities Co-ordinator in a care home but i would love to go freelance , but rather scared to !!! do you have any advice for me ? how did you start it up ?

ANY advice so much appreciated

Thanks do much

Susannah

 

[theunknown]

I love the idea of a staff member dressing up as James Bond and the residents being able to play roulette! Games that rely on luck would probably be fun, as they don't need the thought processes that other games do. I speak as somebody who has to be told the rules every time, even if I've played the game numerous times . I'm just not wired up to understanding rules.

I also believe that the chance to mix with pets and other animals is great for those who enjoy it. What could be worse than someone who's been a lifetime pet owner never being able to stroke another animal? (Well, lots of things, but you know what I mean.)

The activity co-ordinator at my mum's care home decorates the place, including the exterior of the home. He hangs things from trees, eg cds, which sparkle in the sunlight, and uses flowers, plants and objects to create themes. My mum's in a locked EMI unit, so isn't able to appreciate the exterior environment, but how much nicer is it for the visitor/friend/relative to walk up to the home and see these things. It can make the difference between a 'home' and an institutional environment.

 

[Aisling]

hi everyone i have been in the care sector for many years from hospitals to residential and nurseing homes i have enjoyed my time as a carer/senior carer i have just been offerd a job in a residential home of 24 residents as a activities coordinator and cant wait to start my new job role i have free range on this to be able to make it work for the residents in my care i would be glad of any information to help me on my way my first point of call would be to introduce myself to each resident and find out about there interests hobbies etc i also will be trying to create a homes news letter each month would preciate any help on this

kind regards
debbie

Best of luck in your job a and welcome to TP. Of course activities are healthy and good. I believe that is is the clients who should choose the activities if possible and not activities imposed on the client/patient.

My OH hates bingo, too much loud music, playing what he considered " silly word games and proverbs"

You have an awesome task and am sure you will do your very best. Just some pointers...gather as much informations as possible from patients, their families and staff.
This information is totally confidential.
Don't assume that one size fits all. Everyone is so different.
Get to know your patients by conversation / observation
Learn about their abilities, hobbies etc
When you have some information, start with very short sessions eg 15 minutes
Observe patients reactions and keep a personal diary about the session
Have something in place so that if you notice a patient bored, upset etc., then this patient may be taken out of session quietly.
Don't assume that "activities" is the core of sessions, it is involvement of patients.
Not everyone likes singing sessions, bingo, finger dancing, painting etc. etc.
Be prepared to stop and change activity as necessary.
If people enjoyed a certain activity in the past it doesn't follow that they still enjoy it. If they do then something connected to that activity may still be relevant.
Not everyone likes walking.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
It is an awesome task but magical when in works.
Scented candles can be dangerous for people with certain conditions.
Loud banging balloons.
Flashing lights.
I hate people trying to "encourage/force" me to wear party or Christmas hats. Am allergic to some scents, hate the smell of lilies........
If possible short activities outside. An "activity" can be sitting/ standing/ observing outside. ( " they also serve who only stand and wait") Milton?
Yes a challenging job but I think you will be amazing.
Remember; gather information, observe, review, keep an open mind, get to know your clients/ patients. People may enjoy different activities in session, they don't all have to be doing the same thing.

Best of luck,

Aisling

 

[Aisling]

Hi, and welcome! I cant offer a great deal of advice but the search as recommended (and other TP'ers with more experience) will help.

The only thing I will say (which I'm sure you already know) is to be sure, as much as you can, that residents want to participate. My dad HATES any shared activities of any kind (he has Picks Disease - frontal lobe dementia) and people generally make him very nervous. On the few occasions when his home tried to 'socialise' him (at our request as we thought he might be bored) all he did was try to get back to his room, resulting on falls on occasion. He's never been a social person - so there's no big change there.

Finding out about each resident - from their family and friends, if they cannot tell you - is absolutely essential.

Good luck!

Absolutely agree with you.

Aisling

 

[Aisling]

Please remember this important thing.

If your person with dementia does nothing all day, what are you doing to help? It's hard for people with dementia to initiate anything, so just because they sit all day, doesn't mean they want to. In fact, it's more likely to be depressing for them. They may stay silent because they can't start a conversation. They need stuff to do and it's your job to find out what that might be. Look to what they used to do when they were able to choose what they did. Get them doing jobs with you. It's not the standard of the doing, it's the doing that's important.

Of course as long as it is stuff that they like to do. I organised a memory box for OH, it went down like a lead balloon!! Sorry!

My OH loves staring at a fire for short periods. Real fire or coal effect gas or electric. Supervised at all times

Aisling

 

[Aisling]

Best of luck in your new post; sounds great. I take the point that some residents do not like communal activities but the other side of that is that there will be some people who won't be aware that an activity is starting, even if it is listed somewhere, as they may not be able to keep track of time, so it's worth rounding those people up to join in!
In my mothers ch, they do a 'word wheel' every morning, which is really popular, the other things they love are listening to music, singing along to old songs, doing quizzes and crosswords as a group, playing bingo, talking about the old days, watching films, having entertainers in. Also, one thing which is really popular is that a local farm bring in baby animals, like kittens and guinea pigs and also dogs to stroke. The ch also celebrates things like the olympics, james bond movies, etc by having themed days, e.g. when the new bond film came out, one of the staff dressed as james bond and played roulette with some of them - they loved it!

My OH hated the word wheel but luckily the coordinator recognised this and he could leave the room with care and relax or whatever.

Aisling

 

[Aisling]

Please remember this important thing.

If your person with dementia does nothing all day, what are you doing to help? It's hard for people with dementia to initiate anything, so just because they sit all day, doesn't mean they want to. In fact, it's more likely to be depressing for them. They may stay silent because they can't start a conversation. They need stuff to do and it's your job to find out what that might be. Look to what they used to do when they were able to choose what they did. Get them doing jobs with you. It's not the standard of the doing, it's the doing that's important.

Excellent insight Susana.

Aisling