Equipping And Kitting You Out For Your AC Role For 2017!

Hello!
I have been blogging for the past 18 months now and enjoy thinking of things to help you in your AC role. This blog is a special promotion to introduce you to some of the things I do that can benefit you and have  done  for hundreds of AC's, care homes and most especially residents throughout the UK for the past 6 years.

Online Academy For AC's Only!

This year I established the AC Tastic  Academy an online hub of support for AC's that covers just about everything you need, paper work templates, understanding terms and subject matter, CQC stuff etc and lots  more.
AC Tastic Academy -

Full details of content and price and how to sign up is here- .http://www.actasticacademy.com/signup

Freelance AC Course

If you are thinking about being a freelance AC or want to do this in addition to your current role I have but together a course with 12 modules and accompanying video's to show you how and I am with you every step of the way.
I show you how to do this in 21 days! Anyone ready to change their life for good?

 You can sign up here and get  full information about it -http://lovejoycentre.co.uk/freelance-activity-coordinator-course


Dementia Friendly Products-

I have created a range of dementia friendly products to assist in activity provision. My product range is always evolving  as I continuously create new products for AC's to use in their activity provision. I have sold hundreds of mats, they are stocked and sold by major outlets as well and help you deliver reminiscence in a unique way.Take a look at my online store here-

http://lovejoycentre.co.uk/store


Annual AC Wall Planner and Diary 2017

I have created a useful wall planner that has all the key dates on it for you to help prompt and remind you whats on when. Also this year I have created a diary that has a month at a view, helpful hints and tips for your role and a suggested activity idea for you each month.A wonderful resource for an AC .
Price £13.50 including postage and packaging.
Please email me direct at lovejoycentre@gmail.com if you wish to order. Can invoice your care home direct. 
Also all planners and diaries bought will be eligible to be entered into my free prize draw of a free reminiscence box  I will be giving away!

Training Courses and Workshops

I do offer 121 mentoring and training  and run workshops through out the year as well. If interested please contact me at lovejoycentre@gmail.com.

Annual Care Show and AC Awards

For the past three years I have been running a successful care show connecting service providers and health professionals together for a day.
Also each May we have our annual Activity Coordinator Awards and this is a big event on our calendar and everyone is welcome to nominate someone nationally, we get good press coverage.
I believe in raising the profile of the AC role and honouring it.


Online FB Group Support

I hear all too often the AC role is isolating so I have built up an online community to help support other AC's worldwide in our little hub. 
Lots of special promotions, free giveaways  and a great resource of files on activities is available to all members free. 

You can join the group here -
.https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

I also do a monthly newsletter you can sign up here and get my free eBook-
 To get your free copy of our ebook: "10 Top Tips for Engaging and Stimulating Activities With The Elderly"

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

I just wanted you to all know what resources are available to you as AC's through me no matter where you are in the world.

Wishing you all well and until next time keep shining.

Love,

Ann Marie xxx 

AC Christmas Check List...................

Hello, I know we have entered into the count down of Christmas and for newbie AC's it is a pretty daunting time and even if your a seasoned professional it is as well. So if you are a freelancer like me or an AC in a set position in a home you will find this useful.
So to help you here is my Christmas checklist for you-

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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.

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.

Love, Ann Mariexxxx

P.S  Come join my online community of AC's at www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup

       

Let's Shift The Focus On You !.......For Once Let's Consider Ourselves Dear AC.

Normally I always suggest and advise you my fellow AC's on what we can do for our residents and groups we work with.
Well today as I thought about  to write about, I thought  let me write about you taking care of yourself for a change.
  I want you to be a bit indulgent and think of yourself, yes you heard right, YOU!!!

We get so caught up in planning and thinking of the bigger picture involved in our work , all the time we neglect ourselves and only focus on us when our bodies tell us too, or you feel so ran down and drained.
We are about to start up the busiest time of the year on our calendars  and so as to ensure we give our residents the best possible Christmas, our families  and everyone and the world and his wife.

I want you to stop and shift the focus on you  so you can have a stress free as possible  gearing up to the busy time ahead and here is how you do it- 


1. Make your health a priority-  

Yes, many times some of us don't have time for ourselves to go to the doctor until we are forced too. Please press the pause button on life and if you have niggling health issues go to your GP, do what you have to do. 
If your health is good then do everything you can to maintain it and ensure you have enough rest, have a cut off time with work as most AC's do a lot of prep work for their sessions at home. Stop that, Make sure when you go home you rest , spend time with your loved ones.
If you do have to work from home only allocate a set proportion of your time and  be super strict about it.
When you go home , it's your down time to rest and recuperate.

2. Time management-   

  Have a plan- having a plan will help you utilize your time effectively and productively. If you don't have a plan you will waste your time. When you make time you will get your priorities right. You will be able to divvy up time to things that are important to you and things that need to be done in your AC role.

3. Remove toxic rubbish from your life- 

Do not put up with negative people, people who use you and  toxic people and situations  in life. Cut the ties, draw a line and move on in your life. We all have people or situations that no longer serve us or are no longer a good fit. Don't be afraid to be you and look out for yourself for once and remove yourself from such rubbish.You  will feel much better for it, believe me.

4.Goal Planning- 

Set yourself attainable goals, don't wait until the New Year start now. You will find the things you plan will be well underway if you begin them now and not later. 

5.Be kind to yourself-

Be kind to yourself, treat yourself and forgive yourself if you need too. Set aside days in the diary where you are just going to have me time for you and plan  to  do something you enjoy doing.

6. Tools for the job-

My final bit of advice is please connect with others online in your job role, don't be alone. Also I have created a 2017 wall planner and special AC Diary  for you that has been created to assist you with your job. It is only available to those in my group which you can join if you wish  www.facebook.com/groups/lovejoycentregroup
I also will avail a  free downloadable fun dates PDF document to those in my group to use for 2017.
These tools take the hard work out for you as I have prepared them with all the information you need to inform, assist and encourage you along the way .

Also utilize what you can that makes your job role easier for you. Use what is available online and  recommended of fellow AC's.


I have made some major changes in my own life personally and in my freelance AC business so hence the theme.

Be empowered, take control of your life and live it to it's full potential.

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

 Let me know and also I have created an online AC Academy that gives you support with all the challenges you face. www.actasticacademy.com.

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