| Debbie Hommel's A.D. Tips Dedicated to helping Activity Professionals with the daily operation of their department. by Debbie Hommel, BA, CRA, ACC, CRTS, Executive Director of DH Special Services |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR COMMUNITY Join our Activity Director Community message board and network with Activity Professionals across the country. This is a free service. |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR TODAY E-MAGAZINE Be sure to subscribe to Activity Director Today E-magazine for the latest news and more about your profession. Only $24.00/year |
| DEBBIE HOMMEL Executive Director DH Special Services |
| About Debbie Debbie Hommel, BA, CRA, ACC, CRTS, is the Executive Director of DH Special Services. She is a Certified Activity Consultant on State and National level, with over twenty-seven years of experience in providing direct care and consultation to long term care, medical day care, assisted living, and ICF/MR facilities throughout New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. She is an experienced trainer and workshop presenter, conducting a variety of seminars throughout the Tri-State area for the Activity Professional, Administrator, and allied healthcare professional. Debbie Hommel is an active member of Activity Professional Associations on State and National levels. She is ACC certified through the NCCAP. She is a founding member of the New Jersey Activity Professionals' Association, serving terms as Vice President and President. She received the Weidner Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and the Monmouth & Ocean County Activity Professionals Life Achievement Award in 1999. |
| DEAR DEBBIE: Let Debbie answer your Activity Questions Visit DEAR DEBBIE: |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR TODAY Providing Internet Resources for Activity Professionals in Long Term Care Settings admin@theactivitydirectorsoffice.com Copyright 2004-Present The Activity Director's Office All Rights Reserved Disclaimer |
| RESIDENT SHOPPING & MORE At Resident Shopping & More you will find clothing and more for your residents. Also, you will find Activity Department supplies. |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR NOVELTIES Activity Director Novelties features promotional materials and gifts for you, your residents, your facility and your Department. Be sure to visit. |
| BOB'S CUSTOM DESIGNS Get promotional and gift items customized. Bob creates your design and makes it available for you on Activity Director Novelties. Buy as much or little as you want. (Design Fee $10.00) Contact Bob |
| Activity Director Books. Excellent Resources for Activity Professionals |
| Featuring supplies for parties, holiday celebrations and special events Click Here |
| ESPECIALLY DESIGNED WITH SENIORS IN MIND |
| FEATURING TONS OF BULLETIN BOARD AND CRAFT SUPPLIES |
| DHSpecial Services Earn CEU's at Home Click Here |
Person Centered Activities and the Holidays
by Debbie Hommel, ACC, CTRS
There has been and continues to be much discussion and emphasis on person
centered care. Eric Haider, who is a management consultant specializing in this
philosophy of care and maintains the web site Person Centered Care, provides the
following definition: “Person centered care honors each person’s dignity, rights, self-
respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting
their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their
life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible. Simply
stated Person Centered Care means focusing on the individual person, what the
individual person wants and how does the individual person want it, all while
enhancing their dignity, self worth and quality of life. Most activity professionals find an
easy alliance with this “new” philosophy as this is what we have been doing all alone.
As we approach one of the busiest times of year, we must remind ourselves of what the
elder wants and how to tailor programming and events to their needs and interests.
Holiday events, which escalate until December 25th, sometime causes distress, mood
changes and anxiety amongst the elders. What we think is a happy holiday season
may not be the same for the elder population living in long term care communities.
Person Centered Activity Characteristics
Activities should have meaning to the elder: Most would have to admit, our society has
commercialized holiday celebrations. In the past, holidays were family gatherings
meant to recognize important dates, specific people, national events, and religious
practices. When planning holiday events, the facility needs to view the holiday from the
elder generation’s perspective. Knowing your elders, how they celebrated December
holidays in the past and re-creating holiday celebrations from their perspective will have
more meaning to the elder. Slowing down holiday celebrations may also allow more
understanding and enjoyment during such events. Planning ahead allows for ample
time to enjoy each activity to its fullest. In some cases, it may be prudent to focus on
fewer activities, enjoying them more - rather than trying to “do it all”. Cooking and
eating traditional foods associated with holidays and celebrations, contributes to the
individual’s quality of life and self-esteem. Making and decorating cookies, making
mulled cider, hot chocolate, and other holiday treats is a great source of reminiscing
which enhance meaning of the holiday season.
Activities which reflect the person’s lifestyle and interests: Holiday traditions and rituals
should focus on the elder’s generation. Images, songs, and props should reflect the
era of the population. Many practices and customs from today are far removed from
holiday activities of the past. This is not to say new customs should be excluded but
introduced in comparison to the older traditions. Our version of decorating may be
different than how people decorated for the holidays in the past. Stringing popcorn and
cranberries may bring back many memories of holiday gatherings to the residents.
Activities that are enjoyable: The facility should be cautious about over stimulation. The
holidays are busy times with increased visitors, entertainment, and changes in routine.
This may prove disturbing for the residents, particularly the cognitively impaired.
Continuing small groups and familiar programming will contribute to a sense of
continuity. We may need to be more creative with the many volunteer groups who want
to visit this month. Having several groups of children, volunteers or church groups
caroling through the halls on any given day can be overwhelming and not enjoyable.
Possibly having one volunteer group visit one neighborhood (unit or wing) for their visit
would give the visit more meaning. They could sing their holiday carols but then sit
down with the elders for a holiday social or game. Most likely the elders would find
sitting and chatting on a 1-1 with the children, church volunteers or community
members more enjoyable - rather than watch them quickly sing and move on to the next
unit.
Activities that make the person feel useful: Involving the elders in program planning is
essential. Planning holiday events is part of the fun. Involving the residents in menu
planning, selecting entertainment and creating decorations contributes to a sense of
home and community. Anticipation and preparation can be as exciting and meaningful
as the actual event. Making gifts in crafts would allow the resident to participate in the
season by giving to others.
Activities that give a sense of belonging: A concept which has come out of the Person
Centered Care philosophy is the notion of neighborhoods rather than wings or units or
floors. A neighborhood is a smaller environment where everyone lives and works
together. If your facility has not embraced this idea as of yet, the holiday season may be
the time to introduce it. Many facilities call their neighborhood’s comforting names like
“Birchwood” or “Maple Lane”, depending on where the facility is located. If your facility is
still calling the areas where elders reside “A wing” or “North wing”, why not re-name
them for the holiday. Try the North or South Pole or Candy Cane Lane. The staff within
each neighborhood can be involved in decorating and activities for that area. Keeping
the holiday celebrations within the neighborhood creates a sense of community which
can continue beyond the holiday season. Consider opportunities to create new rituals.
Although it may be difficult to practice each elder’s individual tradition and holiday
practice - new rituals may integrate staff, families and elders, creating a new blended
“family”.
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”
William Shakespeare
by Debbie Hommel, ACC, CTRS
There has been and continues to be much discussion and emphasis on person
centered care. Eric Haider, who is a management consultant specializing in this
philosophy of care and maintains the web site Person Centered Care, provides the
following definition: “Person centered care honors each person’s dignity, rights, self-
respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting
their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their
life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible. Simply
stated Person Centered Care means focusing on the individual person, what the
individual person wants and how does the individual person want it, all while
enhancing their dignity, self worth and quality of life. Most activity professionals find an
easy alliance with this “new” philosophy as this is what we have been doing all alone.
As we approach one of the busiest times of year, we must remind ourselves of what the
elder wants and how to tailor programming and events to their needs and interests.
Holiday events, which escalate until December 25th, sometime causes distress, mood
changes and anxiety amongst the elders. What we think is a happy holiday season
may not be the same for the elder population living in long term care communities.
Person Centered Activity Characteristics
Activities should have meaning to the elder: Most would have to admit, our society has
commercialized holiday celebrations. In the past, holidays were family gatherings
meant to recognize important dates, specific people, national events, and religious
practices. When planning holiday events, the facility needs to view the holiday from the
elder generation’s perspective. Knowing your elders, how they celebrated December
holidays in the past and re-creating holiday celebrations from their perspective will have
more meaning to the elder. Slowing down holiday celebrations may also allow more
understanding and enjoyment during such events. Planning ahead allows for ample
time to enjoy each activity to its fullest. In some cases, it may be prudent to focus on
fewer activities, enjoying them more - rather than trying to “do it all”. Cooking and
eating traditional foods associated with holidays and celebrations, contributes to the
individual’s quality of life and self-esteem. Making and decorating cookies, making
mulled cider, hot chocolate, and other holiday treats is a great source of reminiscing
which enhance meaning of the holiday season.
Activities which reflect the person’s lifestyle and interests: Holiday traditions and rituals
should focus on the elder’s generation. Images, songs, and props should reflect the
era of the population. Many practices and customs from today are far removed from
holiday activities of the past. This is not to say new customs should be excluded but
introduced in comparison to the older traditions. Our version of decorating may be
different than how people decorated for the holidays in the past. Stringing popcorn and
cranberries may bring back many memories of holiday gatherings to the residents.
Activities that are enjoyable: The facility should be cautious about over stimulation. The
holidays are busy times with increased visitors, entertainment, and changes in routine.
This may prove disturbing for the residents, particularly the cognitively impaired.
Continuing small groups and familiar programming will contribute to a sense of
continuity. We may need to be more creative with the many volunteer groups who want
to visit this month. Having several groups of children, volunteers or church groups
caroling through the halls on any given day can be overwhelming and not enjoyable.
Possibly having one volunteer group visit one neighborhood (unit or wing) for their visit
would give the visit more meaning. They could sing their holiday carols but then sit
down with the elders for a holiday social or game. Most likely the elders would find
sitting and chatting on a 1-1 with the children, church volunteers or community
members more enjoyable - rather than watch them quickly sing and move on to the next
unit.
Activities that make the person feel useful: Involving the elders in program planning is
essential. Planning holiday events is part of the fun. Involving the residents in menu
planning, selecting entertainment and creating decorations contributes to a sense of
home and community. Anticipation and preparation can be as exciting and meaningful
as the actual event. Making gifts in crafts would allow the resident to participate in the
season by giving to others.
Activities that give a sense of belonging: A concept which has come out of the Person
Centered Care philosophy is the notion of neighborhoods rather than wings or units or
floors. A neighborhood is a smaller environment where everyone lives and works
together. If your facility has not embraced this idea as of yet, the holiday season may be
the time to introduce it. Many facilities call their neighborhood’s comforting names like
“Birchwood” or “Maple Lane”, depending on where the facility is located. If your facility is
still calling the areas where elders reside “A wing” or “North wing”, why not re-name
them for the holiday. Try the North or South Pole or Candy Cane Lane. The staff within
each neighborhood can be involved in decorating and activities for that area. Keeping
the holiday celebrations within the neighborhood creates a sense of community which
can continue beyond the holiday season. Consider opportunities to create new rituals.
Although it may be difficult to practice each elder’s individual tradition and holiday
practice - new rituals may integrate staff, families and elders, creating a new blended
“family”.
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”
William Shakespeare