And Out Comes Happiness – Donna Stuart NAAP Contributor

Create Joy and Festivity – for isolated people – during the Holidays I teach a session with this title. In the next four articles I am going to break those holidays down and offer and apply a Creating Joy Framework I’ve had fun developing. Don’t Plan! First, don’t plan! Isn’t that ironic. We get paid […]

I must admit that when I am stressed out I gravitate to reading my horoscope. Sounds odd, I know, but somehow I am looking for universal guidance, celestial answers to what is really causing my anxiety, pseudo-psychological answers to my never ending questions. When life has hit a plateau, I back off of the endless […]

A recent moment of utter vulnerability led me to a deeper understanding of the need to address emotional pain. Without going through the gory details of the proceeding moments, I recently found myself on my knees, doubled over on the floor, crying so uncontrollably that I was hyperventilating and dry heaving. ( I know, gross, […]

The Eden Alternative developed what are called the seven Domains of Well-being®. CMS actually included the Eden Domains of Well-being in the “new” (2016) regulations. And, of all places, at the Activities tag! F679 Activities. INTENT §483.24(c) To ensure that facilities implement an ongoing resident centered activities program that incorporates the resident’s interests, hobbies and […]

I have never been a fan of putting “Activities are subject to change” on my activity calendar. I do understand why it is necessary and at times unavoidable . Even the best laid plans can change up, cancel out or just down right fail. When planning our activities we all want our programs to be […]

Independent Living and Life Plan communities have long been pushing the idea of “radical hospitality”, where residents experience the environment and customer services akin to a high-end hotel or cruise ship. Residents are waited on hand and foot, nothing is too much trouble, and there’s a 24-hr concierge available to respond to every need or […]