Member Profile:
Recreation Therapist And Writer
From Illinois, United States
About Haley: Activity professional with a passion to connect to family members in crisis. Writer committed to giving senior caregivers resources they need to succeed. Wife to a handsome Principal, Mama to an 8 year old little boy who makes my heart swell. Wannabe yogi and devoted lover of brownies.
Leading a team is hard work. It is your job to make sure staff are doing what they are supposed to, following policies, and providing exceptional care. Most of the time, your team does a great job. But what happens when they don’t?
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Save DownloadHave you ever had one of those days at work when nothing seems to go your way? Or a day of sadness and grief after a resident passes away? Here are a few ways to turn things around s your bad day doesn’t ruin the rest of your week or dampen the mood of your team.
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Save DownloadThe coronavirus pandemic has made senior living activity planning extra difficult. Between visitor limits, social distancing, and other precautions, the holidays are sure to look different this year.
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Save DownloadAs a leader in your senior community, it is imperative to be professional in all your interactions with residents, family, and colleagues. Here’s how to put your best foot forward
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Save DownloadSocialization with peers is imperative for healthy aging. In this article we provide some tips for article provides some ideas for helping residents connect and form friendships with one another.
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Save DownloadThe Care Plan is an excellent place to demonstrate how activities can be therapeutic for the residents you serve. Here is how to write excellent interventions rooted in activities and events.
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Save DownloadIt takes a lot of dedicated help to serve your Activities department, and your residents, well. Here are a few ideas for expressing your appreciation for their efforts
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Save DownloadAdd some levity and laughter into your community’s day by planning some comedy events.
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Save DownloadHave you ever worked with a resident who was irritable or pessimistic? It’s common to have a few residents who may think that all of your activities are silly or not worth their time. Here’s how to make your interactions more productive and pleasant.
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Save DownloadDoes your senior living community actively fundraise? No matter if you are new to asking for donations of money, time, or supplies or if you are a pro, here are a few of our favorite tips for asking for help from others.
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Save DownloadFamilies and other visitors are more 'out of the loop' with their loved one's care now that coronavirus visitation restrictions are commonplace across the globe. Learn how to keep them feeling connected with their loved ones and with your team.
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Save DownloadDehydration can cause serious complications for older adults. Make Activities a part of your community’s push for better hydration with our tips and tricks.
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Save DownloadYour memory care unit is a busy place, bustling with resident, staff, and visitor activity. Unfortunately, too much stimulation can create an emotionally unhealthy environment for residents. Here’s how to keep things calm.
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Save DownloadDid you know August 2 is Ice Cream Sandwich Day in the U.S.?
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Save DownloadIf you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen. Even if you’ve only been working in senior care for a few months, you have probably heard this saying.
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Save DownloadFor most of our residents, a homemade pie or cobbler was a part of their summer experience. You can recreate those memories by stimulating the senses by building a sensory kit to use during small groups or during 1:1 interactions.
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Save DownloadReading is a popular leisure activity among people of all ages. However, reading aloud is often something we reserve for school-aged children. Learn how making a Read Aloud program can positively impact your residents, staff, and the entire community.
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Save DownloadConflict between team members is common, especially in high-stress environments like a senior living community. However, conflict without a resolution can lead to grumpy staff members, increased turnover, and lots of drama. Here’s how to handle it appropriately.
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Save DownloadSocial events don’t exactly meet social distancing guidelines, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still create a feeling of community with your residents. Here are ideas on how to share events without sharing contact.
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Save DownloadSpiritual pursuit can be especially important for some of your residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a quick roundup of ideas that could benefit your community.
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Save DownloadNow is the perfect time to encourage creativity among your residents. You don’t need a lot of fancy supplies or even a group setting to make it happen. Create your own arts & craft to-go packs using ziplock bags for residents to enjoy in their rooms!
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Save DownloadThe global COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our day to day duties with residents. However, there is a bright side to get you through these tough times: people really want to help.
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Save DownloadDaily exercise groups are an activity department staple, but with most communities discouraging group activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering how to keep it up. Here are a few ideas to get everyone up and moving together (while separate).
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Save DownloadIf you are working as an Activity Professional in a memory care neighborhood right now, you are facing even more unique challenges in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping a calm and peaceful atmosphere, including activities, can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ideas to keep you and your residents engaged.
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Save DownloadThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed your activity calendar, and you might be struggling to find new ways to connect with your residents. If you have technology readily available in your community, you can begin to spice up your programming by using virtual activities.
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Save DownloadThe COVID-19 pandemic is downright stressful and overwhelming. Taking care of yourself is probably low on your priority list right now, but you won’t be able to take care of your residents if you are struggling. Here are a few easy ways to be gentle with yourself and focus on self-care during these trying times
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Save DownloadCOVID-19 has drastically changed life inside of senior living communities throughout the globe. Here is how to maintain a sense of calm as well as how to connect with residents during this time.
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Save DownloadEffective communication is key to improving volunteer retention and satisfaction. Create your own communication framework to make the most of your volunteer program!
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Save DownloadMany of your residents likely have some type of vision challenge, which can decrease leisure participation. Learn how to give them the tools and opportunities they need to enjoy activities.
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Save DownloadYour community newsletter is a key part of communication between your department, the residents, family members, and staff. While you may have a system for getting it complete and distributed monthly, you may also notice that the content is a bit of the “same old, same old”. Here are fun things to add that could spice up your next edition.
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Save DownloadWhen a resident leaves your community to head home, you can play an important role in setting them up for social success. Learn how here.
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Save DownloadIt’s never too early or too late to create a New Year resolution for your activity department. Find inspiration for your department here.
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Save DownloadWhen regulatory surveyors or accreditation teams walk into your door, everyone gets nervous. However, you can help your activities staff be confident by training them to be prepared.
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Save DownloadGroup exercise and movement is a crucial staple of a well-rounded activity program. It offers the opportunity for residents to move intentionally, working on fine and large motor skills, as well as improving strength, flexibility, endurance, and range of motion.
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Save DownloadSeniors from multicultural backgrounds are common in residential care communities. Language barriers and cultural differences can make care and daily life a challenge. Here’s how to honor differences and improve quality of life for seniors from multicultural backgrounds.
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Save DownloadNutrition can get a bit tricky with age-related complications and conditions. Discover best practices to improve the dining experience for your residents.
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Save DownloadPets can bring joy and comfort into the lives of our residents. However, it can feel overwhelming to set up a successful pet visiting program. Here’s how to do it at your community.
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Save DownloadWe do our best to provide quality programs and interactions for residents. However, mistakes are bound to happen. Learn how to acknowledge your mistakes and appropriately apologize, while making plans to assure your mistakes don't happen over and over.
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Save DownloadSorting and sifting bins are a wonderful staple to include in easy-to-grab areas for caregivers, family members, and residents to enjoy together. Here are inspiration and instruction to get you started.
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Save DownloadOutings are essential for a healthy and engaging activity program. However, you don’t have to rely on daytime hours for successful outings! Instead, challenge yourself to add at least one evening trip to your program each quarter. Residents will love the new opportunities and you’ll realize it is worth the extra planning.
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Save DownloadYour morning exercise program helps residents gain strength and weekly yoga classes help them increase their range of motion. But do you have a brain exercise program in place? Brain exercises are just as important as physical exercise for our residents. Learn a bit more about neurobics and why these interventions are key to keeping brains fit!
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Save DownloadYour local library is a haven for free activity supplies, easy activity ideas, 1:1 interventions, and endless inspiration for your busy community. Learn how to utilize this community resource even more than you already are.
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Save DownloadIf a resident prefers to be alone, are they lonely? It can make us feel nervous when we don’t see residents at group activities. However, not all residents appear to want to create a social connection.
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Save DownloadMath might not be everyone's favorite subject, but its foundations are in daily tasks like grocery shopping or in more complex tasks like construction. Using these daily and familiar operations, you can give the seniors you serve the chance to use their brain in a different way.
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Save DownloadNew seasons bring new energy to your community and to the seniors you serve. Take advantage of new creativity by welcoming spring with some art offerings on your activity calendar!
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Save DownloadWe have all encountered a challenging supervisor at least once in our careers. Whether you feel your supervisor is mean, unrealistic, or demanding, going into work can start to feel like a major chore. Learn how to work together by following a few of our tips, and make going to work fun (or at least tolerable) again.
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Save DownloadContrary to some beliefs, everyone is indeed an artist. Learn how to foster a love of all types of art in your senior care community, and how to create a showcase that will quickly become a favorite annual event.
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Save DownloadWhile your residents may not be able to explore different parts of the world in person, you can give them the next best thing - a full travel experience without leaving the activity room!
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Save DownloadHave you ever left an event feeling exhausted and overstimulated? Our residents are often shuffled from one group activity to another, with little time for recuperating in between.
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Save DownloadYou know how you feel after a great laugh? The residents you serve don’t get the chance to laugh like that much in their senior years. Bring some playfulness and giggles to your community by giving yourself permission to be a bit silly.
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Save DownloadMake your residents feel special by honoring their pasts and talents with these activity ideas.
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Save DownloadNew residents are a part of life for an Activity Professional. These new folks come through the doors feeling worried, dealing with serious pain, confusion, and other challenges. Here’s what you need to know to make sure everyone feels welcome and wanted.
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Save DownloadNot every resident attends group activities, and it can be a serious struggle to find ways to get them engaged with recreation. Intentionally curated carts and baskets can increase your reach and keep your residents happily active.
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Save DownloadSeniors who live in assisted living communities can struggle to feel connected and make friends. Activity Professionals play an important role in keeping residents socially connected by encouraging participation in creative ways.
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Save DownloadPlanning a Family Night event right in the middle of the holiday season can feel extra stressful. However, you can pull off a beautiful Festival of Lights celebration by using some of these ideas. Take and adapt what works best for you and your seniors, making your event tailor-made for your community.
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Save DownloadYou spend your workday caring for others. In between all that, you complete paperwork, make staff schedules and decorate the community room for the next party. Then, you head home to care for your family. One important question - who takes care of you?
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Save DownloadHave you ever wondered why you get calls from parents to bring in groups of kids caroling during Christmas time, but never again? Where do all the children volunteers go from January to November?
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Save DownloadMake a commitment to take care of yourself throughout the day and week so that you have the energy to avoid burnout!
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Save DownloadSeniors experience loss of all kinds at a much higher rate than we do. Instead of shying away from addressing loss with your residents, honor it. Your residents will appreciate it, as will your staff members, and visitors.
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Save DownloadHelp residents to connect with family members in a fun and pleasant way by planning a quarterly family night that everyone will love! Family nights give everyone the chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
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Save Download20 Tips on Asking For Donations
14 Ways to Improve Family Communication During the Pandemic
20 Creative Ways to Hydrate the Elderly in Senior Care
How to Create a Calm Environment for Memory Care
How to Start a Read Aloud Program for Seniors
How to Manage Conflict Within Your Activity Department
19 Ways for Residents to Socialize in Isolation
16 Ways to Encourage Negative or Pessimistic Residents to Attend Activities