National
Activity Professionals Week
By
Kathy Hughes, ADC, NCCAP President
This
year's NAPW's theme is, "25 Years of Creating Heartfelt
Memories" in celebration of the National Association
for Activity Professionals 25th Anniversary. This celebration
for the activity profession is an opportunity for us
to teach the entire community on the "New"
Guidelines and how we continue to meet the needs and
interests of everyone.
We
can plan a weeklong educational session for staff, families,
and residents. Displays of residents hobbies and past
interests in the lobby welcoming people into their lives.
Displays of resident involved in activities both special
events and regular programs to show their participation.
Perhaps having a "Scrap Booking" evening program
for families to share their family memories with their
loved ones. Making collages of resident interests to
place in individual resident rooms to remind staff of
what activities they can encourage residents to attend
would help to educate all who interact with the residents.
Several
"Snack and Learn" Sessions during in-services
will encourage staff to attend some interesting continuing
education sessions about activities. Try some "Team
Building" exercises to encourage staff to see themselves
as contributing to the quality of life of their residents.
Teaching everyone that they can play a part in the lives
of the individuals that they care for. Using role-playing
games and team building games to encourage everyone
to think as a team.
Invite
your fellow activity professionals over for a luncheon
and sharing opportunity. Each participant can share
their favorite program for about 10 minutes and learn
about each other's facility. This will let you highlight
your program and give you some new ideas for the coming
year. Networking with other activity professionals in
an informal setting can inspire all who participate.
Enjoying the company of other activity professionals
and sharing ideas will help you plan ahead for the coming
year with some great inter-facility events.
Share
your career with your local schools. A display of the
activities that you provide residents or a program on
activities as a career for High School students during
this week could be a learning experience as well as
a way to get some volunteers for the spring. Check with
your local High School guidance counselor for a unique
opportunity.
Plan a trip to your local library with your residents
to sponsor a reading program for the community. Your
"Red Hat" residents can recite the poem and
share their experiences with others. A display of residents
reading to others and using the library resources would
spread the word about your facility and bring your residents
to the library to see all the new resources available
to them.
Have
an Activities Open House, where staff, families, community
groups, and area dignitaries are invited to see the
programs that you provide. Have residents set up areas
where they demonstrate the activities that they enjoy
doing. Serve snacks and have door prizes for everyone
to be involved with. Your "Heartfelt Memories"
can include finding a professional photographer to take
family portraits.
Finally
use this week to educate the community of the great
services that you and your fellow activity professionals
provide on a daily basis. Have the residents assist
you with a display at your local mall. Have a "Make
It and Take It" display with residents as the teachers.
Encourage the residents to interact with the public
and have a great day at the mall!
Enjoy
your week and encourage others to participate in a creative
celebration of National Activity Professionals Week.
NN
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