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Solange

Diversional Therapist From Queensland, Australia


1033 Comment

Solange 17th May 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Nori, many facilities have a shopping trolley these days. Though I have only worked in one facility with the trolley and in those days (2003) sweets, biscuits, and cookies were very popular. I am sure the current Shopping Trolleys would not put emphasis on those items anymore. It is definitely a great novelty for clients and their relatives, and visitors. The room to room visits means clients resting or sick can also take advantage of it. Items for Shopping Trolley: shower gels, shampoo, mints, stamps, homemade soaps, homemade treats, coms, brushes, popular magazines, daily newspaper, nail clippers, handkerchiefs, bobby pins, Sherry. Good luck!
Solange 14th May 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Joanne. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all’ in relation to activities. The best activities are the ones patronized by your clients. That’s why it is so important to offer an assortment of activities for them to choose from. Activities can be individual or in groups and they should stimulate the senses. Cognitive activities should include puzzles, riddles, board games and reality orientation. Physical activities should include some kind of seated exercises, like Tai Chi, or Movement to Music. You should also think of Spiritual, Creative, and Social activities that may appeal to your clients. Golden Carers has hundreds of activities with step by step instructions you could use. All the best!
Solange 12th May 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Joanna, that is a difficult situation. Management are being extra careful which is understandable and obviously, there must be more to it than just saying, no - "for their own sake". There are some legitimate reasons to restrict a small number of elders from engaging in certain activities. But that should not be the rule; what about independence, autonomy and control over their own lives that is so much talked about and encouraged? There should be a careful balancing act between the risks and the benefits​ relating to activities​. Of course, running a safe facility is definitely a priority, but it is not the only role ​that care organizations have.​ Encouraging residents to be involved in their own care and entertainment would reward the facility with happier clients.
Solange 18th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

12 Tips for Writing Progress Notes

Hi Amtul, I agree with Debbie. Start the quarterly with a concise overhaul of the last quarter so as to compare to the current quarter. You should then proceed with a short paragraph about the Physical, Social, Emotional and Spiritual needs of the resident in question.

Here is an example - Norma Steenes 86 years old - Croatian

Norma's usually calm and cooperative disposition has been of late disrupted by cognitive deterioration evidenced by confusion, lack of focus, and disorientation. She continues to attend seated exercises although she loses concentration and engages her neighbour in conversation during sessions. Activity attendance has diminished; she often stands up and leaves the group saying she is 'running late' only to come back a few minutes later. Norma has many friends and enjoys their company. She likes being useful and follows staff asking if she 'can help'. She talks Croatian with peers and staff more than ever before. Norma is found asleep in other resident's rooms at least once a week. Norma takes pride in her appearance and goes to the hairdresser fortnightly. She can get very distressed thinking that people are 'stealing' her belongings and staff spend extra time consoling and reassuring her. Norma attends Lutheran Service weekly. Gardening is one of Normas preferred activities. Her Care Plan has been reviewed and new interventions developed.
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Solange 18th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

12 Tips for Writing Progress Notes

Hi Rehana, despite Lifestyle and Activities not being a category included in the ACFI, audits are certainly very interested in lifestyle matters and leisure activities available to residents. They want to establish if functional competencies require extra attention from staff. During an ACFI audit, ponder on what level of assistance do clients rely on staff in order to attend activities? Is escorting needed? How much extra time is needed for emotional reassurance? meals supervision? attending church? walking? Has he/she lost interest in helping planning activities that matter to them? Is there an activity he/she used to enjoy but can no longer do it? Has attendance drop due to health issues? The audits want to know if the client's application for extra funding is warranted.
Solange 18th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

12 Tips for Writing Progress Notes

Hi Lorraine, here are two examples of a monthly Care Plan Evaluation/Update. In my days we did not do it monthly, instead we did it every quarter.

Anastacia Dunn -
Anastacia continues to attend group activities daily. She has a good disposition but requires constant supervision to avoid intrusion on peers. She particularly enjoys craft with staff assistance. Volunteers take Anastasia to the Greek Club and a Greek religious service once a month. Anastacia has developed a rather noisy behaviour in the late afternoons; she calls staff incessantly in a loud voice and has to be taken away from the recreation area to calm down. She has started attending Tai Chi on a passive basis as she cannot follow the leader. Her family visit every Sunday and bring home-cooked food which she loves. Anastacia's Care Plan has been evaluated and updated with new interventions.

Albert Carr -
Albert's Care Plan interventions remain suitable to his needs. Albert unfailingly attends daily group activities and engages in whatever activity is going on. He has good humour and enthusiasm for life and is slowing getting used to the wheelchair. Albert has good rapport with staff and enjoys talking about history and his forebearers (Irish). He has developed stiff fingers and cannot do puzzles as he used to, he now enjoys doing the 35 piece puzzles. Albert's good friend Hugo has not visited due to ill health, he misses him. He hsas developed a fear of going out since his myocardial infarction and refuses to go on bus trips which he so enjoyed in the past. Staff are supportive but unable to encourage him to change his mind and come along.
Solange 6th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Donna, the Preference Board should contain clients choices on clothing, the method of bathing, dietary choices, snacks between meals, bedtime routine, choice of music, reading material, animals (preferred), favourite leisure activities (solo and in groups), religious affiliation, whether they like the outdoors better than indoors and whether they are interested in community outings. I hope it helps.
Solange 6th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Amanda, here is a list of the most critical rights residents should know.

Clients Rights - Residential Care

Each client has the right to:

To have full use of his/her personal, civil, legal and consumer rights
To be treated with dignity and respect
To live without exploitation, abuse, or neglect
To have a quality of care appropriate to his/her needs
To have personal privacy
To be treated and accepted as an individual, and to have his/her individual preferences taken into account and consideration
To live safe and secure in a ‘home-like’ environment
To freedom of speech
To live without discrimination or victimisation
To continue his/her cultural and religious practices and language of choice without criticism, restriction or sarcasm
To have access to the wider community services
To be consulted and to make decisions on personal issues
To have access to leisure activities, friendships, and associations of his/her choice, both within and outside the facility
To have access to information about his/her care, and any other personal information
To have the right to complain, to take action to resolve disputes without the fear of retaliation
Clients Responsibilities - Residential Care

Each client has the following responsibilities:

To respect the needs of other people within the facility
To respect the rights of staff
To care for his/her own health and wellbeing as far as possible
Solange 6th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

Forum

Hi Maria, I am afraid I have never heard the term. It could mean that it is movable or ambulant; still, I could not explain how it would work. I'll let you know if I find out.
Solange 5th Apr 2018 Diversional Therapist

6 Whiteboard Games for the Elderly

Hi Amy, I guess it would be very helpful if you could watch a few episodes of the TV series ‘Jeopardy.’ You could also find someone acquainted with the game to go through with you. It is not difficult. Meanwhile, you can just use the game as a Quiz.
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