How To Plan, Create & Activate Your 2021 Activity Schedule !

 

How To Plan, Create & Activate Your 2021 Activity Schedule !

So here we are again at the start of a brand New Year. We all fall into the trap of wanting to make change happen, we set our intention and then we don't follow through or people sabotage our good intentions by either poking holes in them, dream stealing them or we give up before we start.

So here is my advice for you, this year I want you to make sure you factor you in the world of the AC bubble.
Make sure as you plan for the year that you have included enough time for you to plan, create and activate your activity sessions well.
 It's been a strange, tough year, dealing with Covid19 and having to adapt activity provision around this in a ever changing world or do and don'ts.



Plan
Plan what you want to change, look objectively to see what you can do differently. See if there are other things you can now try with your residents that was on the back burner before, don't be so  dismissive at least try stuff.
Take into account all the traditional themes and customs that the generation of people you work with would of celebrated when they were younger. Remember when you are planning don't be blindsided by what you want but it's what your residents want.
I have created some useful tools for AC's  I have an online Academy, Dementia Friendly product activity range that are  great tool's for you to use. Email me at lovejoycentre@gmail.com for more information which I will send to you.
Think about what you want to achieve  for your residents as a group for example, you should want to increase their self esteem, promote their independence, etc. So when you plan don't just think it's  this and that, look at the whole picture from a person centered viewpoint. Always put your residents at the centre of your activity session.

Create AC's are naturally creative and very resourceful beings, it's a case of having to be at times. When you create your activity schedule include your residents, get their input, discuss ideas with them, include them in planning sessions . You would be so surprised at what they can contribute. By doing this as good practice exercise you will also be fulfilling a lot of what CQC look for when they inspect homes. So make sure you document these meeting and planning sessions.

It ticks so many boxes on so many levels for you and your residents. Once again try something, if it is not feasible  be creative and make it feasible. Here is a lovely story I heard of what one home's AC did for her resident. Joan was going to turn 100 years old and her birthday wish was she wanted to have a ride in a hot air balloon and travel over her beloved Cardiff.

So This AC created a basket similar to a hot air balloon one, that she put around Joan's wheel chair then she created a huge balloon from the wall and on  Joan's birthday she put her into the balloon creation and at the same time from a projector showed Cardiff  as if you were looking at it from a hot air balloon's view. There was not a dry eye in the house and Joan was delighted and felt fulfilled.

It is just thinking outside the box. Give it a try.

Now you have planned, created it is time to activate. Get your well planned ideas into fruition.

I know a lot of AC's have to raise funds for their residents so think of ways that you can do that different. Have you ever just asked the owners to give a budget? 

They should really. A lot more extra funding has been given by the UK government to facilitate  this, including distribution of iPad's to all UK homes for residents to keep in touch with their families via face time or Zoom!  If not get ideas on the internet for low budget activities and if permitted some entertainment  booked can be done in the garden away from your residents socially distanced for your residents. Ask companies to donate to you and your care home for you to do raffles for different themed seasons coming up. I have at Lovejoy Centre on numerous occasions given away activity products to homes so at least their AC's have something.

Put your hard work together  and see your planned sessions flourish, always have a contingency plan in case something happens. If Covid19 hits your home and you have to  do 121 only or just smaller groups do activities that can be easily done in all these group settings and all abilities can do, so it saves you time having to do different activities each time. Also have a activity basket with things in it that you can easily use for 121 like puzzles, art books, paints, colouring pens, board games, playing cards, quiz books etc. This is a useful tool to have as well.

If you have a plan you will always succeed. 

I wish you a very pleasant healthy New Year as we go full steam ahead into 2021 and am always here by your side to support you. Look after yourselves and stay safe. 

Don't Be Alone!
Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

Until next time.

Keep shining brightly and by the way thank you for being you and doing such a brilliant job.

Love,

Ann Marie x 

My Pre- Christmas Top Tips To Help You Prepare For The Busiest Time Of Year!

  Hi Everyone, This year is just zooming by and it is only 124 days  left to Christmas and the count down has begun.  This year has been very hard for so many due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, so Christmas needs to be made extra special  and planning ahead is a must. 

It is one of the busiest times of the year for AC's and if your new at your role it can be very overwhelming. Don't panic. Help is at hand and if you are struggling for ideas this blog will help you and if you need further help come into my Facebook group where I share loads of ideas, provide free resources and gives lots of encouragement.
Don't be overwhelmed, don't compare  yourselves with others as every home has it's own way of doing things. Just work with what resources you have available and what works best for you and your residents. 

So to help you here is my Christmas checklist for you-

.   

Check List..................

  First of all, sit down with a paper and pen and plan what sort of activities you will be doing this year.
When you write it down you have plan to follow. When you know what you are doing then you can prepare. Obviously things may well be very different this year if visiting restrictions are still in place so you need to work out a plan A and plan B so you you have covered every eventuality.

1. Panto - Have you booked your Christmas entertainment? If not NOW really is the time to do this. They get pretty booked up fast and the earlier the better. Plan when you are going to have your Christmas main resident's party or theme and BOOK and PLAN exactly what your going to be doing. If you have no budget for one and want to do your own. Then if you are one of my group members  you can access a written one complete with parts and dialogue. You could get staff and residents involved to do one.

2 Carol Service- You can approach local schools or church choirs to come in and lead you in a carol service concert and this can be done anytime in the run up to Christmas, as the month of December is Christmas themed, plan your activity sessions out and the main highlights in the momentum leading up to your main Christmas event.

3. Activity Count Down Suggestions- What I have planned with my groups I work with on a weekly basis is to do planned activity sessions leading up to Christmas as follows, this is just an example -

           Week 1- Salt dough Christmas tree decorations.

           Week 2- Christmas paper angels and Christmas cards.

            Week 3. Putting up the Christmas tree and home decorations.

          Week 4. Do a ginger bread house.

          Week 5. Carol Service for residents and relatives.

          Week 6. Christmas Service for residents.

         Week 7. Panto and Christmas party.

4. Include Everyone- Remember to factor in everyone in all the festivities especially assign time for those who choose to remain in their rooms through choice or cannot get out due to mobility issues.

5. Learn to Delegate- You are not superman or super woman. So what you can delegate out to others to help you with, do it. I know it can be hard for AC's to do this but you might find that your colleagues will want to help. Don't burn yourself out.

6. Making use of relatives- Ask the resident's relatives to get involved to assist you on large projects, you would be surprised that they actually want to help. So ask. Always great to have extra hands to help.

7. Gifts- Buy practical gifts for your resident's, what you know they will use and appreciate, set a realistic budget amount. Again ask for help if lots of gifts and order online well in advance of Christmas rush.

Finally remember YOU. Yes, you. Your important and you have to pace yourself and do your own personal Christmas shopping and planning. So make sure you    

make time for yourself and do not put unnecessary pressure and expectations on yourself. Enjoy your time with your family, leave work at work and give yourself permission to switch off and relax.

Until next time keep shining and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared? 

Don't Be Alone!

Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

Until next time, keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x

Best Activity Practice Suggestions To Limit Covid 19 Exposure With Your Residents

Whilst we still in the face of the pandemic we have had to learn to adapt our activity provision. In this latest blog I wish to give you a few suggestions which you can use and adapt  accordingly to meet your needs.

Here in the UK the government is lifting the restriction bans on visitors entering care homes and most homes are being caution and still restricting access for relatives visiting their loved ones and outside entertainers coming in. Here are a few suggestions.

• Run group sessions of no more then 6 at a time ensuring there is a 2 meter space between each person.
• Schedule activities as 20-30 minute programs – and then run them again in the morning and afternoon so everyone who wants to attend has a chance to do so.
• If you have materials such as stuffed animals, simple puzzles or any other small resources, dig them out and leave some in the lounge area on each unit at the start of your day. This may encourage self-directed engagement by some residents – a bonus level of activity without you being there. Ensure if anything is left out like this or in rummage baskets that it is cleaned regularly throughout the day with antibacterial wipes.
• Providing sanctioned by your home manager and risk accessed why not bring in your pet to the home for the day and allow the residents to enjoy such a wonderful experience of pet therapy. Since the groups sizes will be small, it would be easier for you to manage and more enjoyable for all too.
• Be spontaneous, break out in song or doing a dance for the resident to music get them engaged and laughing with you. Lift their spirits.
• For individual residents who are restricted to their rooms, allow a bit more time with them and think out of the box and adapt your activities to be inclusive of them and their ability and remember to  vigorously  wash your hands before going into the next room!😊

 By refocusing our activity provision we can utilise time more effectively and meet the needs of the residents by giving them stimulation and companionship . And working in smaller groups should prove a win win for everyone

Until next time keep shining and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared?  

Don't Be Alone!
Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Until next time, keep safe and keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x

p.s Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

#DonutForgetTheCarers Challenge - Get Involved.

Since we entered into this world pandemic of Covid19 it has influenced my blog posts and highlighted the the new life we have had to adapt to. If you are a freelancer like me then you are probably at home with no work or had to do a different job role.
It has become a life of anxiety, worry and bewilderment for many having to get use to how their respective care homes have had to  adapt to isolating their beloved residents, resident's having to cope with not seeing anyone from the outside and staff having to cope with this  and increased bereavements.

Care home managers having to juggle with keeping the home going and trying to coordinate everything else they have thrown at them ,new admissions not being Covid 19 tested or if they have been and are positive this information in some cases has not been shared and this then causes issues for the entire home.

For these reasons and many more ,I wanted to raise the profile of the front-line staff -carers, activity coordinators, cleaners and all care home staff  by acknowledging them and congratulating them on their sterling work ethic in this very  hard time. We may not be at war but we are at war with an unseen force the Covid19 virus and care staff are on the front-line putting their lives on the line everyday.

I wish to highlight care homes in particular and yes, I acknowledge all what NHS staff do and they have shout outs at a national level,deservedly so but lets not forget the care home staff and the carers and activity coordinators in particular.

So I have started the #DonutForgetTheCarers challenge -movement  encouraging all to buy a few sweet treats and knock on the doors of local care homes  around them and wishing all the care home staff well and acknowledging the amazing job they do each and everyday. Please share this far and wide and share on social media  with the hastag #DonutForgetTheCarers #Lovejoycentre . 


Until next time keep shining ,keep safe, keep well and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared?  

Don't Be Alone!Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
Until next time, keep safe and keep shining.Love,Ann Marie x

p.s Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 
Please click below:http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

Protect Yourself, Know Your Legal Rights Whilst Working In A Covid19 Positive Care Home Environment!

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all safe and well. This blog has been written in response to lots of people asking and telling me about some really bad breaches of practice in some care home where there are Covid 19 positive residents and colleagues.

In this heightened time of us all facing a major pandemic employers are doing their best to keep business open and running and this has an impact on staff in two ways  if costs are being kept down more demand on staff is being placed and misusing their power to shift the costs and burdens of this pandemic onto their employees.

As AC's, carers and all who work in the social care sector  we are all deemed to part of the essential key workers who are encouraged by government in the UK, to go to work and keep the country running. Which I applaud and agree with but I have been hearing of some terrible breaches of  practise which is placing workers and residents in danger  in this time.




Your Legal Right's (in the UK)

If you failed to turn up for work , employer authorisation and sickness aside this would be a breach of contract,and could lead to disciplinary action or even dismissal without notice.
The current Covid 19 alters this drastically in various ways-

1. For employers who want staff to come to work may themselves be breaching the implied duty of care in tort and contract. In either case, staff can resign and pursue a claim for constructive dismissal.

2. If employees -you, go to work and contract Covid19 as a consequence they can sue for the loss and injury caused by their employer's breach. But bear in mind you would need to prove that you caught it as a direct result of your's employer's breach.

3. You have every right to not to be made to work by your employer's attempts make you work  without needing to quit. Under the  Employment Right's Act 1996 (ERA) , employees have a right not to be subject to detriments (s. 44(1)(d) or dismissals (s.100(1)(d) for leaving or refusing to return to work where they reasonably believe this is a serious and imminent danger which could they could not reasonably have been expected to avert.
If you believe this is the case and even your commute to work puts you at danger  due to Covid 19 you can stay at home while continuing to be entitled to full pay.

4.Any detriments to you by your employer in response to this would be unlawful, say if they took disciplinary action against you or any pay reduction it would be unlawful under ERAs.44(pay deductions will be  unauthorised deductions. Same with dismissal this would be deemed automatically unfair under  ERAs.100. Both these apply from day one of employment.

5. If you are a member of a union contact them for advice and support.

6. Report concerns to your local Adult Social Services team, Safeguarding Team and CQC.

So inclusion, if you feel unsafe and wish to remain at home you have every right , even if your employer  insists the risk is minimal and you have full PPE, as the current pandemic is deemed an imminent danger.
If you genuinely feel and  believe you are in danger by going to work you have every right to stay home without  fear of reprisals from your employers. 

I hope this help you to clarify your position for those of you faced with this situation. I am by no means a legal expert so I would suggest you seek professional advice if you feel you need to.

Until next time keep shining and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared?  

Don't Be Alone!
Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Until next time, keep safe and keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x

p.s Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

How To deal With Grief in Your AC Job Role During Covid 19

How To deal With Grief in Your AC Job Role During Covid 19

How To Deal With Grief

 We inevitably experience loss of our lovelies we work with, but in the midst of a world wide pandemic we will be experiencing multiple deaths and this will have an impact on us. I heard today one of ladies that come to day centre has passed away and this is so sad.  It has to be said this is the most difficult part of the job. It is an area that not much support is given to AC's or care staff in general within the care sector. Especially when you work in your role you can't help but get attached and build an emotional bond with the residents you work with, well I am here to tell you it's okay to feel sad when someone passes away.

 But it is important to deal with your grief so you can move on in your own life without it affecting you or your career. I remember one of my first encounters with a death of a resident, I was a carer at the time and remember having to take ten minutes and crying my eyes out but told to pull myself together and carry on with my shift.

 A bit harsh I thought, so from early on you teach yourself to bury your feelings and emotions. Not healthy, as it is important for you to have an outlet of expressing them and remembering the resident who has passed away. 

Also it can be hard to know what to say to the family and residents. Sometimes it's easier to busy ourselves with practical tasks rather than confront our own feelings of sadness and loss.

 Even though you may feel out of your depth talking to family members or other residents about death, in most cases it is usually better to say something. Simply saying, ' I am sorry for your loss, she is greatly missed,' can be enough.

 It can help you move forward and confront your own thoughts about death. It is essential that you have the opportunity to talk about your feelings and acknowledge the death of a resident.

 What You Can Do 

Set up a support group at work. 

Take time out to share special moments about a resident (pin up photos or special anecdotes about a resident in a public space)

  Hold a memorial service for other residents and family members.

 Make sure all volunteers and friends are informed. 

Set up a grief box for other residents and staff to drop cards and notes of sympathy to the family.

GET MOVING! 

Discuss your feelings after work by taking a quick walk with staff members. 

TALK to a counsellor or someone you trust.

 Everyone will experience grief in their own way. Grief can make us feel sad, angry or confused. 

Talking to someone you trust about how you are feeling early on can be helpful. If feelings of grief seem overwhelming talk to your doctor.

 AC  Action Plan 

Talk about how you feel. 

Acknowledge it. 

If you're struggling in this area speak to your GP. 

Set up something in your work setting to acknowledge the death of a resident that allows everyone to remember them and grieve, if there is nothing like this in place then talk to your manager about it.

Until next time keep shining and remember your worth. Do you like what I have shared?  

Don't Be Alone!
Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Until next time, keep shining.
Love,
Ann Marie x

p.s Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

How To Have The Best Easter While In Lockdown and Raise Some Money For Your Resident's Fund!

Despite being well and truly in lock-down mode we can still make this Easter  amazing ..

 In this quick blog I want to suggest lots of cheap,cheerful and meaningful activities you can do with your residents which  cost next too nothing  and suggest how you can use this time of year to raise money for your residents fund and lots more.

Easter Bonnets- 

This is a great one to do with your residents, ask relatives , look in charity shops for old straw hats you can decorate with your residents. You can get lots of hat decoration from the pound shop or use real flowers and greenery from the garden! Old bits of ribbon or scarves.
Have a Easter Bonnet parade and get the manager to judge the best bonnet and have a first, second and third prize and runner up prizes for everyone else.


Hot Cross Buns and Tea -

Make an occasion out of tea time on any of the days from  Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday . Serve hot cross buns at tea time and share a part of the Easter Story each tea time over the Easter period.  (12 hot cross buns £1 in Asda)

Egg Pacing-

This is a lovely activity that your residents would of done when they where children and it is painting boiled eggs. Once painted they can be given as gifts to each other.
( Iceland 15 eggs £1.60)

Easter Cards- 

Making and giving of Easter cards is a great way to keep in touch with relatives, allow your residents to enjoy an art session. Keep it simple, get printed easter egg pictures that  be coloured and  stuck onto card.

Easter Egg Hunt-

 Simply hide easter eggs around the home and get those who are able bodied and with good mobility to go on an Easter egg hunt and those in their rooms you could give them a quiz with clues of where you would hide eggs and if they guess correctly they win the egg. Ensure everyone is involved. 


Egg Tapping- 

Egg tapping is an old tradition from the North of England which is a bit like conkers . What people do is tap each others egg and whoever's egg lasts the longest wins.Have an egg tapping contest.


Easter Service- 

Hold a special Easter service or at least communion  for your residents , especially for those who are practising Christians as Easter is the main event for the Christian faith. And it is very important that your residents spiritual needs are met.


Make Easter Baskets-

 Buy or ask for people to donate baskets that can be decorated with ribbon and can be either filled with painted or chocolate easter eggs or have a lovely planted flower arrangement in them, like daffodils from the garden.




How to Raise Money For Easter For Your Residents Fund


Raffle- Do a raffle to raise money. ask for donations from local business, relatives and staff. Sell raffle tickets on line and hold a virtual raffle so relatives can be involved as well.


Do A Sponsored Event- You can do a sponsored walk, bike ride, sit in baked beans in a bath, shave your hair anything to raise money for your home.

Sell Home Made Goods- Get your residents to make items to sell to raise money like cards, key rings, pottery etc.

Hope you find this useful. Lots more resources available in my online community.

Don't Be Alone!

Come connect with me on FB and be part of my online community of fellow AC's at  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

Sign up  to go on my mailing list and get my FREE  ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly" 

Please click below:
http://eepurl.com/Iw9p1

Until next time.

Keep shining brightly and by the way thank you for being you and doing such a brilliant job.

Have a blessed, happy and wonderful Easter .

Love,

Ann Marie x