I was recently invited to attend a few care plan conferences for residents who reside on the Memory Care Unit of a nearby facility. Although the residents declined the invitation to attend, families were present to gain any type of insight possible. During a particular meeting a wife (lets call her Mary) brought in her […]
Do those words sound familiar? I have used them countless times as I went room to room to invite folks to the activity that was being planned and soon to be happening. The activity may have been something we did often, or it could have been something unique and new to our facility and Activity […]
Compassion fatigue is real. It occurs when we become indifferent to the appeals for empathy from those who are suffering, due to frequency or amount of such appeals. As Activity Professionals, we are deeply caring individuals who give so much of ourselves by loving, supporting, engaging and prioritizing the needs of others. The last 18 […]
I want to be transparent about writing this article and share my struggle. When you serve on the NAAP Board you are required to do many things that aren’t necessarily in your “wheelhouse” and for me that is a lot of things, including writing articles (lol). The ladies that are currently serving on this Board […]
There is a great difference between Cultural Humility and Cultural Competency. Cultural competence compromises behaviors, attitudes and policies that can come together on a continuum that will ensure that a system, agency, program, or individual can function effectively and appropriately in diverse cultural interaction and settings. It ensures an understanding, appreciation, and respect of cultural […]
I have recently taken on a project that has had me wanting to crawl into a dark hole at the end of the day and cry. I have gone to anyone and everyone that is willing to listen to me so I can vent my frustrations…. Talk about holding the bucket!!! Between meetings, resident interactions, […]
A very big part of empathy infused improv as a communication technique with those we work and care for is introspection. Our desire, willingness and ability to look beyond the situation at hand and consider how we could possibly be a part of results we see and scrutinize. As we ponder our own interactions and […]
In this COVID-19 time, seniors are encouraged to self-isolate to minimize chances of coronavirus exposure. Groups that care for seniors, such as retirement communities in New Jersey, have been trying to keep their charges safe. However, such drastic measures have led more of them to sink into depression and loneliness. Despite the challenge of maintaining […]
You don’t have to be Julie Andrews or Oprah to have favorite things, and you certainly do not need to be a celebrity to bring those favorite things to the attention of others. For months you have been reading blogs about communication and empathy and improv and how all of these concepts mesh together when […]
By Paul P. Falkowski Ph.D. This article is the second in a series of articles I am writing to not only talk about what goes into producing a viable and sustainable volunteer workforce but also to encourage you to explore new and creative ways nursing home volunteers can support you and the people living in […]
