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 Professinal Tribute Contest www.activitytherapy.com You can not alter the Tribute in any way.

I planned to stop briefly in the store to by a box of tea.
On aisle two I remembered my new friend Warren needs a key.
Betty would love that red sweater with the lovely birds.
Mr. Henry loves to suck on the candies that he calls Nerds.
2 pounds of blue yarn for Ms. Roth, she knitting a new scarf and desires the color of the sky.
I smile when seeing Ms. Bailey’s “only yellow” moon pie.
Today Elvis is coming. Rena will come out for this show.
She pretends it not her birthday, but I know.
I better grab a basket - for just a few more things.
Wait to Marrey see this, even the Bell choir will sing.
We could bake an apple pie instead, Ms. Buesing doesn’t like cake.
Some milk when we play poker, Barbara volunteered to make chocolate shakes.
I better get a cart to put this basket in.
I’m just around the corner but it’s just about ten.
I came to buy some tea for tomorrows’ new comer social.
And I think I get this little trinket that Liz saw on a commercial.
Oh, and this frame for Louise picture of her new grandchild.
I’ notice that I’ve been in this store for quite awhile.
Just one more thing for Walter, he’s been crying a night
I think tonight we will just sit and talk if that is alright.
What a week this is going to be, the weekend even better.
I can’t wait to see Betty in this new red sweater.
I’m amazed at the total as I search my corner pocket.
I’m on the way to my second home with crafts to make lockets.
Before I go to sleep tonight I pray for Ms. Cutter’s ailing daughter
and dream of my long ago friend Mr. Porter
In the heart of an Activity Professional are the fears and dreams of our growing family and friends.
We encourage each one that this is a new chapter, for some a new book and that life never truly end.

When a new resident moves in, away from their home
They are often lonesome and feel all alone
We become their friend, filling their day with lots of fun things to do
We help them feel welcome; I tell you it is true.

We are like a friendship garden
Planting our seeds of love and care
We have so much to give
And so much to share.

We entertain them, we dance, tell some jokes
Make them laugh, once or twice
Seeing their bright smiles, really feels so nice.

We can be crafty; we can be singers, swingers,
Instructors and chefs.
It certainly puts our patience to a test
But for our residents, we give it our best.

We take them shopping, go to a movie,
Even take them out to eat
Our job can be tireful
But really, it is quite neat.

We have to be quick on our feet
Ready for the next activity
To take place
But nothing gives us more joy
Than the smiles on their face.

At the end of the day
When all is said and done
We know we did well
When they exclaim
“Boy that was so fun!”

Our resident’s look forward
To each day of something new
We help take away their sadness
We keep them from feeling blue
So let us all be thankful to do
What we do!

Relieving fears with a friendly smile.
Giving a hug to make someones day worth while.
Bringing excitement to an other wise dull day, Helping someone in a kind a friendly way.
Being a family to someone who has no one around, Planting seeds in the warm sweet ground, Watching things grow with pride and anticipation, Making someone feel like they were on a quality vacation.
Reaching out to the community to touch and bring touch back Having much when otherwise there would be lack.
Raising someone's quality of life to a higher degree, Making them full of joyful glee.
And making sure the seeds your sowing,
Are meant to reap a harvest full and overflowing, With richness of life in every way, All lead by the Activity Director throughout each day.

Carolyn Dunn
Santa Fe Health and Rehabilitation Center Long Term Care
Weatherford, Texas

ACTIVITY
AGAIN AND AGAIN I SAY
COME AND JOIN ME.
THIS IS ONLY WHAT I ASK FOR
IN MY MIND
VISIONS I HAVE FOR YOU.
I’M HERE TO OFFER STIMULATION AND
TUNE IN YOUR EMOTION.
YOU ARE THE REASON THAT I AM HERE.

REMINISCE                 STIMULATE
SOCIALIZE                         DANCE
RE-CREATE                             SING

MARLINE E. JEAN
cedar hill healthcare center
cedar, grove , nj

Here comes unique Sandalwood, a nursing home that I am proud to be a part of. We have Donna McGrath picking up donations, taking patients for walks. She's everywhere. Then you see Cheryl with her soft sweet smile, running Bingo, playing cribbage 1:1 or dice games in a group. On Fridays she is shopping at Wal-mart and Rollies for all of us. Here comes April, with that wonderful laugh, playing Bingo, ordering out Friday nights, playing Uno, dice games, and painting. We have ice cream socials, and every month a Resident Council meeting to listen to our gripes and new ideas.
Such a diverse community: bed ridden, wheelchairs, walkers, and those who buzz around. There is always something for everyone. They are always there to lend a helping hand or an ear to listen. We are never lonely.
I can't leave out Steve Hall, half full Administrator who is everywhere. And Kim L'Heureux our Director of Nursing. They are a pair that beats any full house.

kathleen sullivan
sandalwood care and rehabilitation center long term care
oxford, ma

A is for Artistic Flare
C is for Crooning
T is for Tender Loving Care
I is for Independence
V is for Vitality
I is for Inner Personal Relationships
T is for Treasures Untold
Y is for Yearning

P is for Parties for any Occasion
R is for Random Acts of Kindness
O is for Outgoing Personalities
F is for Friendships that Last a Lifetime
E is for Energy
S is for Sentimental Moments
S is for Smiling
I is for Inventing oneself over and over
O is for Outings Galore
N is for Networking through Education
A is for Attitude
L is for Laughter

Yes this sums up an Activity Profession in a Nut Shell however The Activity
Professional is Multifaceted and Always Changing to Give our Residents a
Quality Of Life like no other.

What job can you;

Wear a party hat on Tuesday morn,
Listen to Lawerence Welk and eat popcorn,
Go outside with fresh air, holding a caring hand,
March as if you were in a band,
See Elvis in July and dance to

Angela Roberts
Activity Assistant
Rolling Hills Healthcare
Long Term Healthcare
Charlestown, Indiana

Quick, quick! Got to hurry!

So much to do, so little time!

Parties and Crafts,

Trips and movies,

Pet therapy and exercise,

Entertainment and poetry,

Bingo and Music.

But then you got meetings and care plans,

progress notes and marketing,

emails and more meetings,

All in one day? How? Why?

We do it because of the LOVE

the love and respect we have for our residents

The stories and the tears, of life long ago and love lost,

The laughter and the fun,

reminiscing and reflecting,

Every day, all in one day,

Because we are special people,

Not everyone can be an activity professional,

with fingerprints of paint on our clothes,

We have patience and class

skills beyond what others can comprehend,

Our relationship with the our residents is different, unique

they talk, and we listen

we empower them every day to do more,

build their self-esteem and maintain their current level,

to smile, laugh and be silly,

and most important, to have joy with life

because that is what the definition of activity professional is

to bring joy and happiness, not to just one but a hundred residents

All in just one day.

Tiffany Sainsbury, Activities Director
Woodmill Care and Rehab
Plaistow NH

You have to smile a little.
You have to cry a little.
You have to open doors a little.
That’s the story of, That’s the story of love.
You give hugs a little.
You wept the tears a little.
You always care a little.
That’s the of story of, That’s the story of love.
We appreciate a little.
We explain a little.
We celebrate a little
That’s the story of , That’s the story of love.
We collaborate a little.
We practice a little.
That’s the story of, That’s the story of love
That’s the story of love!!!!!!!!

Many, many thanks to you!
You bring real delight
you help make our residents day
happy and oh so bright!

Activities Assistants open up our resident’s minds,
showing them the wonders of the intellect
and the miracle of being able to think for themselves.

You exercise the mental muscles of our residents;
stretching and strengthening, so they can make challenging decisions,
And find their special place in our facility,
and become/remain independent.

The best assistants care enough
to gently push and prod our residents
to do their best and fulfill their potential.

Thank you for the gift of your kindness.
For being the person that you are:

Kind and thoughtful, sensitive and considerate,
a generous and thoughtful giver.

You are unselfish always,
putting our residents before yourself,
making them feel special and important.

It is a privilege and a pleasure to have you on my team.

I work on Alzheimers Unit, it's Awesome!

Christina Hurd
Activity Cordinator
NMCC
Kansas City, Mo

Achieving a sense of fulfillment every moment joy is brought into the lives of others.

Valuing individuality & uniqueness with, respect, understanding, patience and importance.

Inspirations at work letting our minds conceive it, our hearts believe it, so we will achieve it.

You’re the friend that just stops by to visit or whom offers an encouraging word.

Optimistic personalities are the creator of our goal and the source of our drive.

Skill to turn defeats into triumphs through the will to believe we will bring about happiness.

Investments in changing inner attitudes of the minds, which change the outer aspects of lives.

Activity Professionals are…
We are Caring and Compassionate
We have Hearts full of Love
We have Hands that reach out to you
We have Eyes that see the Sadness, Loneness, and the Happiness

Why are we Activity Professionals?
Because we Love what we do
Because we care about you
Because we want to make a difference in your life

What do Activity Professionals want?
Only to see you smile
Only to see the twinkle in your eyes
Only to be able to make your day a little brighter
Only to make you laugh

We see with our hearts.
We revel in your past, celebrate your present and anticipate your future.
We see beyond your limitations, and explore your potential.
We see your dreams, your fears and hopes.
We see with our hearts.

We hear with our hearts.
We hear your memories, your favorite song, your wedding day.
We hear the words that get lost or can no longer be spoken.
We hear your laughter and your tears.
We hear with our hearts.

We speak with our hearts.
We speak with reverence for all that you were.
We speak with respect for all that you are.
We speak with hope for all that you will be.
We speak with our hearts.

We are more than Bingos, crafts and games.
We are more than parties, trips and socials.
We are more than decorations and centerpieces.
We are the heart and soul of every facility.
We are Activity Professionals.

Activity Professionals need to be Jack and Jill's of all Trades. Their resumes must read from A to Z

A: Artist, Audio Visual Equipment Technician
B: Beautician, Bartender, Band Leader, Bell Ringer, Bingo Caller, and Bible Scholar
C: Caterer, Chef, Chauffer, Comforter, “Clean up in aisle 10” Comedian, Crafter, Correspondence Coordinator
D: Decorator, Dancer, Dish Washer
E: Entertainer and Emcee
F: Finder, Furniture mover, Florist
G: Greeter, Grill Master, Gardener, Game Show Host
H: Hugger, Hostess, Hairdresser
I: Ice Cream Maker, Interior Decorator, Interpreter
J: Juggler of Many Tasks
K: Knowledgeable in Every Area, Knitting Instructor
L: Life Coach, Linguist
M: Manicurist, Mediator, Motivation Speaker, Maintenance Personal, Memory Joggers
N: Newspaper Reporter
O: Organizer
P: Pet Therapist, Party Planner, Picnic Taker, Postal Worker, Personal Trainer, Popcorn Maker, Photographer, Preacher
Q: Quiz Master
R: Reminiscer, Referee
S: Singer, Secretary, Story Teller, Scene Setter
T: Tie Dye Artist, Tour Guide, Travel Agent, Telephone Operator
U: Umbrella Bouncer, Umpire
V: Variety Show Host, Voting Judge
W: Waiter, Wearer of Many Hats
X: Xcellent People Skills
Y: Youthful, Yo-Yo Expert
Z: Zither Player, Zoo Keeper at the Petting Zoo

The hand that offers a reassuring pat on the back.
The eyes that see the real person inside