Respect
By
Michael Bower, ACC
"How
do I get the respect of other departments?"
This has to be the most common question received at
Activity training or meetings. Whenever I hear this
question, my response is "What do you do to earn
it?" Respect
isn't given automatically; it is earned. Ask yourself
these questions:
Do
I respect my job - do I think it is important? This
is shown in a variety of ways. Calendars are posted
on time and followed. Adequate preparation is allowed
for every activity. Activities start on time and are
not cancelled. All documentation is completed on time.
The rights of residents to attend groups are protected.
Do
I think I am an important member of the team? Are
you a willing participant in all the meetings? Ask to
be on the Psychotropic Medication, Restraint, Behavior
Management, Nutrition-At-Risk, Safety, Performance Improvement,
and other QA
committees, to name a few. You do have important information
about the residents; make it available to the other
members of the team. Come prepared.
If you can't attend personally, send a well-written
report.
Do
you stay informed and educated? Attend and give
in-services; make sure your staff does the same. Give
your administrator and staff development person copies
of all the training you receive outside of the facility.
Ask to be sent to seminars and workshops; be willing
to take time off and pay for them yourself - it's that
important! Return from training prepared to share with
others. Show how the education you received benefits
other departments and the residents.
Do
you keep the rest of the care team informed about what
the Activity Department is doing? It isn't enough
to post calendars. Announce upcoming special events
at stand-up meetings. Take the opportunity, once a week,
to explain the purpose of a regularly scheduled activity.
Elicit help from the rest of the staff - get them involved.
Looking for sensory or reminiscence items? Ask if any
of the staff can provide them - be specific. Could a
staff member share a special talent by playing an instrument
at a sing-a-long?
The list is endless!
As
with so many things in life, how we are perceived is
a reflection of how we perceive ourselves. Respect who
you are and what you do. That's the best way to have
a well-respected department.
NN
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