One-to-One Programming

SUMMER 2008
VOLUME XVIV, ISSUE 2
NCCAP NEWS
NCCAP
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
OF THE
One-to-One
Programming
By Kim Hayes, ADPC
E
very activity director has faced
the problem of providing in
room programming that meets
both the federal regulation guidelines
and improves the “quality of life” for
the residents we serve. Developing
an in room activity program that
meets the needs of each individual
resident while providing both the
quantity and quality that is needed
can be a challenge, with staffing and
time. Here in Alabama we have a
program called Best Practice, it’s
where nursing homes around the
state submit innovative ideas that can
enhance the lives of our residents.
That is were the solution can be
found; I submitted an idea that deals
with this very issue “Activities at
Your Fingertips” and was selected
as one of the top six (this is quite a
honor).
SUMMER 2008
NEWS
NATIONAL CERTIFICATION COUNCIL
FOR
ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
IS SUE
One-to-One Programming .................1
Volunteers Can Extend Your
Activity Hours.................................2
Executive Directors Report
for April 2007-April 2008...............5
NCCAP President Report
2007-2008.....................................7
Along with the activity kits each
activity center also has a portable
DVD player, CD player, movies,
music, refreshments, crafting, and
gardening supplies as well as items
that encourage reminiscing, and
newspapers for current events.
There are many benefits of the
activity center, residents who
may be experiencing weight loss
will frequently accept and enjoy
refreshments during activities.
Activity staff benefit by being able
to manage their precious time with
residents instead of searching for
activity ideas. It also benefits after
Alice Schnelwert enjoys a "flow experience"
hour activities if they are needed.
during a music program.
Other staff can use the activity kits
“Activities at Your Fingertips” is an activity center on after activity staff have left for the day (another guideline
wheels. Imagine having 30 activities right at the tip of your in the F248 tag). Specific benefits include: resident
fingers! With the implementation of the activity center, enjoyment, mental stimulation, social contact, and overall
activity staff are able to provide a wide variety of activities quality of life.
for those residents who needed one-to-one programs
because they are not willing or able to participate in group Before implementing the in room programming with the
activities. The activity center has nine interchangeable activity center, activity staff were only able to provide in
activity kits (these are kits that have several activities in a room activities three times per week, and now with the
box that are related) these may include: sensory, farming, activity center they are able to provide in roomactivities
five times per week. We were able to measure the success
cooking, fishing, table games, travel, construction, etc.
NCCAP NEWS
PAGE 2
NCCAP Board
of Directors
Cindy Bradshaw, ACC
Executive Director
[email protected]
Michael Bower, ACC
President
[email protected]
Kathleen Hughes, ADC
Vice President
kathy@activitiesassist.
com
Laurie Kloepper, ADC
Treasurer
[email protected]
Heide Cornell, ACC (NY)
Nominations Chair
[email protected]
Ginger Johnston, ACC
Secretary
gingerjohnston@hotmail
.com
Nancy Best, ACC (PA)
Special Projects
[email protected]
SUMMER 2008
by the increased resident participation, The initial task is getting a program
facial expression, and comments from started by recruiting people from the
the residents themselves.
neighborhood in which you are located.
I went to area churches, schools and
The cost of implementing the program pleaded my cause on behalf of the
can vary depending on what you residents. I spoke to groups who would
already have on hand verses what has have meetings and got myself on the
to be purchased and how creative you agendas so I could explain the things
can be stretching the dollar.
that needed to be done.
The activity center is both an excellent
and innovative idea because it addresses
the new federal guidelines, improves
the residents quality of life, and staff
enjoys using it!
If you would like more information
about the activity center you may
contact me by calling (256) 9275778 ext. 215 or e-mail me at
[email protected]. NN
VOLUNTEERS
CAN EXTEND
YOUR ACTIVITY
HOURS
I created applications that gave me
names, addresses, phone numbers, a
person that could be called should the
volunteer run into some problem while
at work. I also asked for references
which checked and asked for days and
times available and what they could
do or were willing to do to help out. I
think I phrased it as what gift or talent
do YOU see yourself sharing with our
residents?
The next step was looking at the tasks
they thought they could do and then
making lists of the things we needed
done. Not all of the volunteers ended
up in activities and this is important.
Many just were not “people” oriented
but task oriented. Some could sew,
some had been engineers, and what
maintenance department could not
use a few extra hours or hands in their
departments?
By Sr. M. Eulaliae George, ADC
Ads placed in this
newsletter do not lend
endorsement to the
individual and/or their
product.
The statements/articles
made herein are those of the
respective authors and not
necessarily an expression of
the views of NCCAP.
F
or more years than I care
to remember I have been a
Volunteer Coordinator often in
conjunction with being an Activity
Director Certified (ADC). Budget
constraints are always a concern in
terms of hiring enough staff to cover
the department. By using volunteers
that have been trained for specific
jobs I have been able to increase the
number of hours and variety of things
the residents can do or be assisted
with.
Some were interested in sewing
and mending is a job most laundry
departments do not have someone
employed who can do that task. We
wanted our residents
SUMMER 2008
NCCAP NEWS
PAGE 3
to look nice at all times and if the dress is unhemmed
or ripped, then neatness and good grooming are hard to
accomplish, as well as dignity.
People who are good with plants can do wonders to brighten
up the facility and resident rooms with plants and flowers.
In one facility we had a green house for them to work in
and this was another spot to walk to and enjoy the blooms
and variety of green living things. Some of the residents
liked to get into the “dirt” now and then.
People who have pets and have had them trained can do
much to brighten the day of residents with the pet visits.
This brings about conversations about pets they once had
and a whole area of memories that create a warm fuzzy
feeling in the residents even the most demented ones.
Reaching out to a pet that doesn’t judge the shaking hand
or drooling mouth lets them know they are lovable and
accepted regardless of their ability to speak or canyon a
rational conversation. Pets just are and they allow people
to just be.
NCP803
Some people are good at passing out mail and reading to
the residents that have visual problems and they can make
a letter turn into a story and an hour of conversation. These
one on one encounters are time the employees are not
able to take with most of the one on one resident. Fifteen
minutes can seem like an hour when you have several
people to see in one day as well as conduct group activities.
Volunteers stretch that time!
It now takes much longer to do the documentation and all
the writing of the notes, matching the likes and preferences
of the resident to the
program you want
to set up for that
individual care plan
Order your free copy
of the 2008 Senior Activities Catalog!
1.800.558.9595 / www.eNasco.com/senioractivities
that makes them feel really special and important. Just
knowing in advance the gifts the volunteers can share will
go a long way in helping you make a more individualized
care plan for the resident in question.
Writing job descriptions based on resident needs and
preferences can take time but once the task is done, you
have less one on one to do yourself and you also have time
to hone in on how you would want the program to work.
Group games can be almost led entirely by the seasoned
volunteer who knows who plays bingo or likes music, and
those who like to attend special events. The small group
card game or board game or who likes to go for outside
strolls. There is no way we could take people out of the
building without one on one volunteers to assist in these
events, such as boat rides, eating out and horse races.
Former nurses who have kept their licenses up are wonderful
at nail care and providing manicures to those who like to
have painted nails. They can also help feed and nursing
is forever grateful for the help. People who like to be on
the move transporting people to and from therapy, beauty
shop and other off unit activities are invaluable. They save
PAGE 4
so much time and energy and make
the rides fun for the residents. Those
who have special talents like playing a
musical instrument, singing or leading
group activities are an asset that can’t
afford otherwise. Budgets are not
bottomless pits.
Training your volunteers in the areas
you use them in and providing job
descriptions is a must. An orientation
program should include general
information such as your mission
statement, the importance of signing
in and out when you volunteer,
wearing sensible shoes and a name
badge. Jackets are optional but I find
that it helps the residents identify the
volunteers from visitors easier. Such
things as Infection Control and good
hand washing techniques. Wheelchair
Safety, Fire and Safety Procedures.
General Emergency Procedures,
Resident Confidentiality, and the
HIPAA Law should be covered as
well as the Residents Bill of Rights. A
tour of the facility and how the rooms
are numbered, as well as where larger
activity areas are and how to get to and
from them, is a must.
NCCAP NEWS
a separate Pastoral Care Department.
It is important to be sensitive to the
spiritual needs of the person who
has moved into the facility because
often this is the last stop before the
end of life. Many of the residents
have unresolved issues and they need
someone to speak to about the things
that upset them spiritually. Keep a list
of ministers or priests in your Rolodex
so that they can have that consolation
at the end of their lives. A sense of
peace of mind is one of the best ways
to insure they have a happy life and
death.
When holidays roll around the
volunteers can be a great help in making
sure every resident in the facility gets
a card, spreads the word to church or
civic groups that a present would be a
nice touch, especially if someone has
no family or close friends. This makes
the Activity Director’s job easier as
her volunteers do the leg work and
help with parties. Often the volunteer
will lead sing-a-longs and create an
atmosphere of party time when none
has been scheduled. These impromptu
parties are great because I find when
unscheduled good things happen the
It is important to stress to Volunteers residents respond even better than at
the important role they play in the planned events to which they may not
well being of the resident’s life. wish to attend.
Making friends even at age 90+ is
important for the person who may In summary, if you have a good
have outlived all peers and family strong volunteer program and use
members. Loneliness can lead to your volunteers in the areas that they
depression and having a friend to visit indicate they want to serve, you will
on a regular basis can be a great uplift have many extra hours of activity time
to the person who has moved into a on your calendar and can keep your
strange place where he/she knows no costs down dramatically. Sure it takes
one and strangers are taking personal time, but it is time that is well invested
care of what the person used to do for because in the end you are the winner
him/herself. Just imagine yourself in and your residents will be much
happier. You will have more people
that position.
stretching their world and making each
Spiritual care of the resident often falls day more worth while, especially for
to the Activity Director if there is not the hard to reach persons. Regardless
SUMMER 2008
of the age of your population they will
be happier and easier to care for.
Remember your volunteers will only
be as good as the quality of your
interview, the application showing
their main interest, and giving them a
good orientation and job description.
Using a cheerful hello, a thank you at
the end of the day, a compliment for
their help are just little ways to keep
them happy. I now put a place on my
application for birth month and day.
(no year) Each birthday I send them a
card. They really appreciate that. In the
spring we do a volunteer appreciation
luncheon or dinner and give awards
for hours served. It provides a nice
social for them and it is a big “Thank
You” for us. Administration has to be
behind this one for it to truly work.
I hope if you don’t have a volunteer
program you will consider beginning
one. Of course the Administrator
has to allow this but I know in notfor-profit facilities we could not do
without them! NN
NCCAP is starting a new contest.
Everyone that assists an individual in
receiving their national certification,
verified by their name being written
on the front cover of the application in
the designated space, will have their
name entered into a drawing for over
$1,000.00 in Gas Card giveaways. The
drawing will be May 1, 2009.
SUMMER 2008
Executive Director
Report for
April 2007-April 2008
Cindy L. Bradshaw, ACC, NCCAP
Executive Director
2007 was a very successful
year for NCCAP!
NCCAP ended the year with over
750 new certified individuals. That
coupled with people maintaining
their credentials made for the
highest number of certified
individuals in the history of the
organization with a current total of
6,493 (with 120 new pending).
Several things have attributed
to the increase in interest for
national certification with NCCAP
to include:
* Signature Healthcare
mandating that all their facilities
employ credentialed activity
staff, and giving them the tools
to accomplish this goal.
* Certification sessions at
South Carolina, West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Virginia,
New Jersey, and New York
conferences
ADC Track 5 being extended
indefinitely
* Exposure at the American
Health Care Association
(AHCA) conference (attended
by Kathy Hughes, President and
myself in October 2007)
NCCAP began a research project
evaluating the deficiencies cited
during 2006-2007 to determine
NCCAP NEWS
PAGE 5
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if the facilities receiving activity
citations were employing certified
or training individuals. This project
has lent so much more information
than we had hoped thus far, and
information is still being gathered
and analyzed by Ashley Hester,
MS and the staff at University of
Alabama. We look forward to
seeing the results of this study
to assist NCCAP with its future
strategic planning.
has just completed a mailing to all
the NCCAP certified individuals
that meet the instructor standard
inquiring if they had an interest in
teaching the MEPAP especially
in those states where there
are currently no pre-approved
instructors.
NCCAP has been working with a
few of the states that still teach
a less than 90 hour course as
their “state approved” course,
NCCAP offered and held two and at this time North Carolina,
Modular Education Program for Kansas, and California are all
Activity Professionals (MEPAP) communicating a new direction
2nd Edition instructor trainings, to include considering a person
in Columbus, Ohio (4/07) and in that completed the MEPAP course
Virginia Beach, VA (10/07), training qualified in their states, and looking
over 30 individuals. NCCAP will be at offering the MEPAP courses.
offering 3 – 4 trainings in 2008 and
PAGE 6
NCCAP NEWS
In February 2008, Nancy Best, NCCAP board
member and I, met with Congressman Phil English
from Pennsylvania to discuss his sponsorship of
HR4248, and it’s possible implications to the activity
professionals in skilled facilities.
In March 2008, I was honored with an award by
the New Jersey Activity Professionals Association
(NJAPA) for my efforts on behalf of their association
and activity professionals.
This coming year, I look forward to traveling more
to the individual states and working more closely
with each of the healthcare associations, licensing
bodies, management companies, etc.;
stressing
the importance of the activity credentials, as well as
speaking in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, (and
maybe some additional states yet to be determined),
training, and finalizing the MEPAP testing component
based on the Education Committee’s input.
SUMMER 2008
calls, doing the monthly mailings, reviewing files,
and doing some of my computer work. In addition
to the aforementioned, we continue to have over 15
dedicated volunteers that review the new applications,
the certification renewals, and the CE’s that are sent
in to NCCAP. Kathy Hughes, NCCAP President
also assists NCCAP by filtering all of the NCCAP
emails, answering them and/or referring them to the
appropriate individuals.
This year NCCAP is asking the instructors to start
having their students actually complete their NCCAP
application as part of their class assignments. This
will show them what level they are eligible, and
encourage and promote their enthusiasm for pursuing
their credential. If every instructor assisted even 10
new students a year, that would be 1,000 new certified
by 2009!
This year we are asking state representatives to take
a more active role in the association by assisting the
I am blessed to have very capable staff in the NCCAP promotion of NCCAP, utilizing the table top displays
office, Audrey who processes the mail, answers the (that all the representatives have now been given),
majority of the phone calls, and writes the checks. and including an NCCAP certification session at their
Betty who also assists with calls, and handles all state conferences.
of the computer processing of CE’s, renewals, new
applicants, instructor numbers, and monitors the As ever, NCCAP strives to meet the needs of the
instructor and state representative listings, and consumer, maintain the highest level of credibility and
Kelly who will be taking on a more significant role integrity throughout each and every venture. Please
in the office to assist in my absence, answering let us know how we can assist you, by contacting the
NCCAP office, or emailing us at [email protected]. NN
NCCAP Treasurer’s Report 2007 - 2008
Laurie Kloepper, ADC
NCCAP Treasurer
were given from the Beverly Morris Scholarship Fund. The
annual Madge Schweinberg Scholarship for $500.00 has also
been given out in conjunction with the NAAP conference .
There are two more new scholarship opportunities available:
The Barbara Fleischmann Commitment to Excellence
Scholarship and the Ralph Best Scholarship. Information
and requirements for all NCCAP scholarships can be found
on the NCCAP website and we encourage certified members
to take advantage of these opportunities.
Finances for NCCAP continue to be secure. In October,
2007 the ED and President attended the AHCA conference
in Boston, MA and met with over 750 Administrators and
business owners to promote NCCAP. The board felt this
expenditure was in NCCAP’s best interest to approve as
it is believed this was a great investment for the continued
growth and future of our organization. Although the Profit
and Loss Statement for 2007 does show a $11,121.67 deficit, The Fidelity Investments continue to remain stable:
this was due to marketing.
Value as of march 31, 2008 = $464,772.38
NCCAP is pleased to have given out three scholarships The 2 CD’s mature 5/7/08
already this year. Two scholarships in the amount of $189.00 #1 = $20,000.00
#2 = $21,201.40
SUMMER 2008
NCCAP
President
Report
2007-2008
By Kathy Hughes, ADC, President
I
It has been an honor to serve the
NCCAP members this year, to work
with an extremely professional
staff, and to be able to assist hundreds
of activity professionals become
nationally certified. NCCAP serves
over 6,600 activity professionals with
tools and information that impacts
their delivery of activities services to
thousands people who receive longterm care.
This past year, we have started an
aggressive marketing plan to educate
the long-term care community about
NCCAP. We displayed your information
at the American Health Care Association
(AHCA) in Boston, Massachusetts.
Those contacts that we made have
assisted us in getting out the word
about national certification. We were
able to interact with administrators and
state AHCA chapters. We are looking
forward to interacting with various
states AHCA chapters this coming
year. We have been a vendor at the New
York State Health Facilities Association
(NYSHFA) annual conference for the
past 2 years and have made a variety
of contacts. We are looking forward
to being a vendor at other national
association conferences to continue to
educate healthcare professionals about
NCCAP. Our members are welcome
to notify NCCAP about upcoming
NCCAP NEWS
PAGE 7
conferences and opportunities to recent VA Association of Activity
Professionals (VAAP) conference had
educate and display at their events.
people form other states attend simply
This year all Modular Education because VAAP posted their conference
Program for Activity Professionals on the NCCAP bulletin board.
(MEPAP) Instructors will now be
teaching the MEPAP 2nd Edition. Our We will post all of our reports on
Education Committee is working on the NCCAP Bulletin Board so that
the national test and will be making members will be able to keep up to date
recommendations this year to the on information about their association.
NCCAP board. We look forward to We have encouraged members to “GO
their report. NCCAP members are GREEN” by viewing NCCAPNEWS
encouraged to discuss various aspects online. This will help us keep costs
of the national test on our NCCAP down and help the environment. We
have many people who have taken
bulletin board.
advantage of this opportunity. All
We also have updated our web site of our newsletters are posted on the
including a Salary Survey that anyone www.nccap.org website.
can have input to. This is a nonscientific survey, but as of this writing We have been privileged to receive
524 people have participated. All of scholarships from the Best and
our information is available for free to Fleischmann families for activity
all activity professionals as well as the professionals. We are indeed honored
general public. The NCCAP bulletin for their support of the activities
board is available to everyone to post profession as well as their vision. All
job openings, upcoming conferences, activity professionals who are seeking
workshops and seminars as well as to NCCAP certification are welcome
share information about the activities to apply for these scholarships.
profession. About 500 people visit *individual terms apply.
more > >
the NCCAP bulletin board a day. The
Jane Rosenthal,
Executive Vice
President of Menorah
Home assists Florence
Rosenberg with her ice
cream.
Sadie Cahill enjoying a hot
dog at a BBQ.
Webmasters Corner
The NCCAP Bulletin Board has
migrated from EZBoard to the
upgraded Yuku system. As a
user, the main difference is that
anonymous entries are no
longer permitted. Registered
users can still use their
EZboard username and
password. New users can
register by clicking the
“Sign Up” button at the top of
the page. You can access the
board directly from the NCCAP
web page.
Check it out at http://
www.nccap.org
Sadie Cahill sings her favorite Teddy, Menorah's mascot,
tune a the Resident Talent
joirs the resident costume
Show.
party.
NCCAP NEWS
National Certification Council
for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
P.O. Box 62589
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23466
(757) 552-0653 - FAX (757) 552-0491
www.nccap.org - [email protected]
SUMMER 2008
PRESORTED STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHESAPEAKE, VA.
PERMIT NO. 14
Please visit our Web site at www.nccap.org
PAGE 8
Our Legislative Committee is currently
keeping tabs on the legislation and
it’s progress through the Congress
concerning HR 4248. We believe
that this bill will increase costs to
facilities as well as impact the delivery
of activities services to those in longterm care. We were also able to contact
Rep. Phil English (R) of Pennsylvania
and establish a relationship with his
staff. He currently serves on the
Ways and Means Committee. We
have sent letters concerning HR 4248,
the Ensuring Medicare Access to
Recreational Therapy Act Of 2007. We
have posted a statement of concern on
the www.nccap.org website.
NCCAP NEWS
in Assisted Living Facilities.
The NCCAP board, at our fall meeting,
voted to extend Activity Director
Certified (ADC) Track 5 indefinitely
for those individuals who took state
approved courses, prior to 2001. We
encourage individuals to take advantage
of this ADC Track. We also, upon advice
of our NCCAP Education Committee
and Executive Director approved a new
track for ACC. This track is a two-year
program for individuals who have an
incredible amount of experience in the
delivery of activities services to work
toward Activity Consultant Certified
(ACC) certification. We have gotten
many interested individuals since we
The NCCAP board is currently announced it in our newsletter and on
evaluating the needs and educational the website.
needs of activity professionals working
SUMMER 2008
We would like to congratulate our
Executive Director for her recent award
at the New Jersey Activity Professionals
Association (NJAPA) Conference. She
received the Professional of the Year
Award for her selfless contributions to
the activities profession. We are very
proud of her tireless efforts and work
for us. She and her staff continue to
provide professional services, support
the work of the NCCAP board, and
provide services to those seeking
national certification. NN
We’re looking for Activity
PHOTOS
Scan and email us fun pictures
with residents and Activity
Professionals. Photo release and
captions required. Email them to
[email protected]