A Tribute to Activity Professionals!

Notice: You are welcome to use these tributes in your publication but you must state the authors name and Alternative Solutions in Long Term Care Activity Profession Tribute Contest www.activitytherapy.com You can not alter the Tribute in any way.

Live life to the fullest, what we all want. Regardless of age, we just need to,, adjust, according to age!
I will help you chop onions, and add the spice, look at the reciepes, the cookbooks, and help you turn the page.
I will remember with you the food you did cook, and encourage your family to come take a look. As we bring on a meal,, smells of onion and garlic all up and down the halls, staff they come a running,,like family,,the foods on!

Making life here a home, thats what were all about, we bring on normal life, thats what we do,,no one goes without!
In our way we bring in the normal, we document by the skin of our teeth,, as we battle the paper work VS the people work, we will not be beat!
Activity proffessionals, yes we are, we love on our people, because thats who we are.

We are them. They are us. All of us please remember, this is life, and we them and they are us. Love on! We all get a turn! Stay busy, keep active!!!

Sandy Hill
Bear Creek Care & Rehab
LTC & Rehab
Morrison, Colorado

Imagine the Intergenerational Activity Professional who has a crystal clear vision, unfailing enthusiasm, and dogged determination.

Imagine the Intergenerational Activity Professional who creates:
a place where all people are together, supported and empowered,
a place where a four-year-old may, in reality, be an 84-year-old, and that’s okay!
a place where the young and the old interact and it’s perfectly acceptable to color outside the lines.

Imagine a Place . . .
. . . where respect for individual differences is informally taught through mutual engagement.
. . . where everyone is a guide and everyone is a learner, and in some capacity, everyone is being cared for or providing care.
. . . where relationship development progresses from affiliation, to affection, and eventually matures into affirmation.

. . . where individuals are unconditionally accepted and truly cared for.
. . . where growth occurs and it doesn’t matter if you are 4 or 84.
. . . where children are prepared for life . . . not school, and elders are prepared to live . . . not die.

Just imagine . . . who makes all these things possible? Imagine. . .
THE Intergenerational Activities Professional!

Vicki Rosebrook PhD, Executive Director
Macklin Intergenerational Institute
Findlay, Ohio

I sang with friends songs popular in my youth.
Today, I was part of the group, included.

I painted a lovely watercolor I called “My Turn”
Today, it was my turn to be creative.

I patted a dog and watched his tail wag.
Today, I delighted in the warm and fuzzy love of a pet.

I discussed A Road Not Taken with friends.
Today, I expressed my thoughts and was heard.

I worked a puzzle with a friend, quietly.
Today, I felt a sense of satisfaction when the job was done.

I heard myself say “could you have thought of me doing that?”
Today, I surprised myself doing something new.

“The following submission was composed by a group of our participants describing our activity program and the effect it has in their lives.”

From all the residents,
we would like to salute you as president.
You make our day enjoyable and fun,
it's almost as good as sitting in the sun.
You make us smile and laugh,
you are such wonderful staff.
We look forward to our daily coffee,
and an occassional piece of toffee.
Each day ends with comedy hour,
and we all look forward to tomorrow.

It's Monday morn, the week is before me
Waiting for something to fill up my day,
I'm tired of TV, don't want to nap now
Alone with my thoughts, but then you come along.

And you light up my life,
You take me out to celebrate,
You light up my day
With friends and fun and games.

Red hats and tea, Bingo and music,
Art, crafts and socials; no time to be bored
Laughing and singing, friends all here with me
Your gentle grace, and your smiling face.

And you light up my life,
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days
And help me feel at home
I'm not alone
With you at my side
Cause you--you light up my life.

Grandma’s in a nursing home, what does this mean?
She can’t live alone anymore. Doesn’t that seem mean?
Grandma sat in her living room chair all day, as happy as can be.
She can’t stay in her home anymore, now she says, “Whoa is me!”
Two months later….
Grandma’s in a nursing home, what does this mean?
She’s living somewhere else where there are no dishes to clean!
She doesn’t have to dust the house and she goes to bingo once a week.
A nurse watches over her, so her creaky bones don’t creak.
There’s exercise daily, socializing and games.
She’s made lots of new friends, too many for me to name!
The doctor makes “house-calls” and she doesn’t wait in line.
She says the meals are quite tasty, “They use recipes just like mine!”
Crafts take place on Fridays, and card club is twice a week.
And there’s someone there to help her if her bladder starts to leak!
Musician’s come to entertain, and they play just down the hall.
Someone’s always nearby to assist her, to help prevent a fall.
Hmmm…a dice game in the parlor, or a new movie showing?
No more worries about snow shoveling or a lawn that needs mowing.
She made scones today in kitchen club and served them at a “Tea.”
When we come to visit her, we never know where she might be!
Is she in worship, attending current events, or a reading of Edgar Allen Poe?
She’s seldom found in her room anymore, she’s always on the go!
When it comes to going places, her repertoire has changed.
A fishing trip, a green house visit, even a boat ride was arranged!

Grandma says, “The staff are really good to me, they really are so kind.
I don’t know what I’d do without them, I’d be in a real bind.”
She still has her living room chair, for when she wants to sit a spell.
She says, “When I need any help, I just push this call-light bell.”

Grandma’s in a nursing home, it’s no longer, “Whoa is me.”
We’ve all come to realize, it’s the right place for her to be.
When she goes to bed at night, we know she’s not alone,
She’s living in another place, a new place that she calls “home.”

By Barbara Konuszewski, Activity Director
Huron Woods Nursing Center
Kawkawlin, Michigan

The Hardest, Fun Job You Will Ever Find

People say we have the fun job and this is very true,
But it also is a hard one, known only by a few.

Others see the parties, games and special events,
But do they realize we have to count every dollar and cent.

Many times we have to beg, borrow, oh!no! not steal.
We just have to look around for some really good deals.

Where can we get puzzles, crayons, and other things we need,
Donations and gifts are a blessing in deed.

We always have to be happy and sometimes act like a clown,
But sometimes it’s not that easy when you feel sad and down.

You need to go behind the scenes and see the other things we do,
Like all the paperwork, schedules, meetings just to name a few.

We need to be there for our residents but also family members too,
We try to reassure them that Mom or Dad will not be blue.

Our workload is heavy for our department is small,
Yet we seem to make it all happen without a trip or a fall.

Yes it is a fun job and I wouldn’t change a thing,
Except when our choir doesn’t show up and I have to sing.

Donna Andrew, ADC,CDP
Pleasant View Nursing Center
Mt. Airy, Md.

A C T

A is for Active because there's always something for you to do

C is for caring, because that's what keeps you going when the going gets tough!

T is for tenacity, because that's what you use that eventually changes,

Joy Rosen
Arroyo Grande Care Center

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What is a Life Lesson?

A Life Lesson are those moments that my Grandparents teach me something that my mom had tried to teach me but it sounds so different coming from my grandparents.

Mom Language: Get Good Grades and make something of your self.
Grandparent Language: POTENTIAL
Child: I can make it in life because I have P O T E N T I A L!
Thanks to every senior who took the time to teach life lessons.

laurie hoerrle, adc
Autumn Aegis

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A Circle of Life
by Carmela Mulroe (activity director)

As we stand at the crossroads of our residents lives, it is a time of choice..a time of question..a time to ensure that our residents will live lives of integrity over despair….

Each day will dawn the opportunity to do something new…
See a flower in a new light…nurture a friendship toward a more fulfilling tomorrow…a chance to complete a project…to sit back with satisfaction and know that a task was well done.

Every moment is a present to be unwrapped…a discovery waiting to be uncovered. We will search for meaning in every act and not give up when the response is minimal, for each day has a dawn—each moment an eclipse. We live and work for those moments of surprise…the moment of “Aha!”--
the sparkle of recognition within vacant eyes and the moment in which a confused soul comes home to who he is.

We will come to work equipped with the tools of love, compassion and the vision to see beyond the tangible. For before us sits not illness, confusion, and loss, but rather possibility, depth of spirit and the wisdom of ages. It is merely a well which needs to be primed and encouraged to bring forth the spring of life..of joy…and the knowledge that deep within, are fountains ready to spring forth.

It is here with joy and anticipation that we believe that life goes on…that life is not ended…not used up, but rather there is the opportunity to complete the life that has come full circle.

In each day we will seize the opportunity…embrace the privilege to complete the circle of life.

Carmela Mulroe
Director of Activities and Volunteers
St. Mary's Care Center

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A Caring Breed, the Activity Professional Seed
by
Bob McGowan, L.N.H.A.

A Caring Breed, the Activity Professional Seed!

Our nursing home is rich for sure
But money plays no part
For you see we serve both rich and poor
And Activities provides the heart.

While most in healthcare do their part sworn
And provide residents good quality care,
Activities thinks beyond the norm
with magnificent experiences to share.

With expertise and creativity they gauge
and create unique events
For all residents regardless of age
They bring happiness and content.

Regardless of medical condition
This caring group maintains
The desire to bring events to fruition
with health and wellbeing sustained.

What better way to serve mankind
Then to serve those so in need
A more caring group one could not find
Then in the Activity seed.

So if you ever need a perfect form
Of unwavering desire and caring
Instead of depending on the norm
Look to only to Activities for bearing.

A caring breed, the Activity Professional Seed!

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Times They Are A Changing

   Sandra Stimson CALA ADC CDP
   Alternative Solutions in Long Term Care www.activitytherapy.com
   National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners www.nccdp.org

Times They Are A Changing.
I Stay Involved With My Association,
I’m Connected To The Activity Web Sites.
Times They Are A Changing and So Am I.

Culture Change Is Finally Here.
It Brings All The Things We Already Knew.
I Wish I Had The Staff To Do It ALL, But That Won't Stop Me.
No One Will Break Me, I’ll Find A Way!

We Already Know To Involve The Community.
We Already Know The Importance Of The Children.
We Already Know The Impact Pets and Plants Have On Our Residents.
I Found The Way To Do These Programs!

I Wish They Would Increase Our Budgets!
I Will Find A Way For WII, Computers, Projectors, Swimming Programs,
Aviaries And Sensory Rooms.
And Of Course I Have To Have Those Gorgeous Fish Tanks and Flat Screen TV’s.
I’ll Find A Way!

If It Means More Fund Raisers,
I’ll Sell Those Balloons and Flowers, Raffle Those Tickets, Hold Craft Shows And Sell Candy and Bagels.
Because There Is A Way To Provide These Important Activities.
I'll Find A Way!

I'm Committed To Developing Special Programs That Are Implemented Every Day.
Hopefully The Administration Will Understand, One Person Can't Work The Weekends!
I Know They Are Getting It! Activities - Are Important Every Day, On Every Floor And On Every Unit.
They Are Now Getting It, One Staff In The Day Rooms, Ain't Cutting It!

But I'll Implement Spiritual Rooms, Room Bound Programs and Dementia Programs!
I’ll Make The Resident's Room Personalized And Home Like.
I’ll Look For Other Areas Of The Building That I Can Utilize.
I’ll Find A Way.

Ill Develop Gardens Because The Residents Need A Place To Breath, Relax and Reflect.
I’ll Make It Special, Intoxicating And Inviting.
Because They Deserve This And I Am Committed To Giving My Best To Accomplish This.
I’ll Find A Way, There Is A Way And United We Can Do This.

And I’ll Get To Those Activity Meetings And State Conferences.
I Commit To Doing This. To Stay Educated, Connected And Rejuvenated.
I Will Do This and Saying I’m Too Busy Is Not An Option!
Because "I", "We" Deserve This.

Because, Times They Are A Changing…Change Is Gonna Come!

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