In the next few months I am going to be publishing a series I would like to refer to as: The Fight for Survival. Each month is going to cover a distinct primitive instinct that remains within us as we age and explain some of the otherwise unexplainable. As Activity Professionals you are continually faced […]
In 1998 I was introduced to the National Association of Activity Professionals when I attended an annual conference in San Diego, CA. I had worked in activities since 1985 at this point in my career. I was very lucky to work with an organization that supported quality of life and encouraged continuing education opportunities for […]
Spontaneity is a practice of the culture change movement. It predominately comes from the Eden Alternative®, an excellent model of changed culture that follows ten principles. I highly recommend nursing and assisted living homes to become a registered Eden Alternative® home as it then propels your community into changing culture. It gives you guidance, support […]
Over 30 years ago, I attended a district meeting. I learned so much from my fellow activity professionals and I could not seem to learn enough. I began my journey as an Activity Professional quite by mistake. I had no formal clinical training and honestly, not a sole in the building I worked in really […]
A leader in the culture change movement administrator Eric Haider in Missouri told his teams he wanted to see something spontaneous take place every day on each neighborhood (moving away from the hospital term unit). Wow. What a brilliant man. We’ve learned that sometimes it pays to make a good mandate. Because of it wonderful […]
So I may be a little picky about how people interact with each other, but the reality is: that it is my specialty and If I were not able to observe the hidden communication methods of others, I would not be able to craft new ideas on better communication for all. So with that being […]
Social distancing. Leaders in the culture change movement call this a misnomer, a contradiction, something that can’t be. What is really meant is physical distancing. For the sake of protecting each other, we distance. However, we don’t want to distance socially plus that is the very thing that is hurting people. So, if you agree, […]
I recently went to Costco with my husband while we were both hungry. Big mistake. After aisles of bad decisions and impulsive grabs, I looked down at the cart and realized I should never judge anyone elses grocery choices again. Wait a minute. I judge other people’s grocery carts? Yes, unfortunately I am guilty of […]
It takes a lot of energy to be an Activity Professional. You need the ability to focus on others, to give an unending stream of positivity, encouragement, support, and care. This can be challenging in the best of times, so what does it feel like in the worst of times? I would not trade where […]
Recently I realized maybe we are putting the cart before the horse, so to speak. Here’s why. What I’ve seen is that when we focus on interests, groups happen naturally without jumping to the group first. For instance, say someone who lives in the community where you work loves … horses…. No pun intended, just […]
