123 Flash Chat > Chat Rooms > Practicum Chat > Message History
DateTimeFromToMessage
2017-09-19 06:12:18 PM slooney enter the chat room
2017-09-19 06:13:10 PM nicolespangler enter the chat room
2017-09-19 06:13:17 PM slooney Hi!!
2017-09-19 06:13:18 PM nicolespangler Oh hello there!
2017-09-19 06:13:51 PM slooney I'm best when working on a deadline too
2017-09-19 06:13:58 PM slooney So, nothing like last minute, lol
2017-09-19 06:14:04 PM nicolespangler For real!
2017-09-19 06:14:05 PM nicolespangler haha
2017-09-19 06:14:35 PM slooney Where are you working? I'm in Wilmington, Ma
2017-09-19 06:14:53 PM nicolespangler So we may have to ask Kathy, but I don't think she requested the chat to be a certain length or anything, I think we just discuss programming ideas, right?
2017-09-19 06:15:00 PM nicolespangler I am from Frisco, Texas!
2017-09-19 06:15:18 PM slooney Hope you stayed dry!!! I agree, I think it's just a friendly convo
2017-09-19 06:15:33 PM nicolespangler How is the weather in MA? My husband and I lived there for a couple years and got moved down to texas for his job, so it is hot here. lol!
2017-09-19 06:16:28 PM slooney We're getting the foggy drizzle left over from Jose... but otherwise, it's coming on fall which as you know is an amazing time of year around here
2017-09-19 06:17:16 PM nicolespangler We stayed dry for the most part, got a little rain that was all from the hurricane but very little since we are north of Dallas and like 6 hours from where the hurricane actually hit.
2017-09-19 06:17:35 PM slooney I'm glad to hear that you were spared all that mess
2017-09-19 06:17:49 PM nicolespangler My husband and I keep saying we want to go back there for a week or so for the fall because its an amazing time of year on the east coast
2017-09-19 06:18:03 PM slooney in the ageism practical piece I talked about the florida home where 8 people died of heat stroke. Just awful!!
2017-09-19 06:18:25 PM slooney You should! Tell your company you're going to come check out my program!! LOL
2017-09-19 06:18:29 PM slooney then it's work related!!
2017-09-19 06:18:39 PM nicolespangler Yeah, that was crazy. I say it all over CNN
2017-09-19 06:19:03 PM nicolespangler Right!? Lol, I'll just be like its a work trip
2017-09-19 06:19:13 PM nicolespangler *saw
2017-09-19 06:19:51 PM slooney So strange to hear that story. Hard to believe...
2017-09-19 06:20:04 PM slooney so tell me what is working for your residents down in Texas??
2017-09-19 06:20:30 PM nicolespangler It is terrible though that there weren't many more precautions taken that could have prevented that terrible situation.
2017-09-19 06:20:44 PM nicolespangler Well my residents LOVE music, and BBQS
2017-09-19 06:21:35 PM nicolespangler Luckily our weather is pretty good all year, so we do 1 BBQ a month between April and November, so they love those. We decorate the outside covered patio area in a theme and eat A LOT of food and have live music
2017-09-19 06:21:45 PM slooney those are both great things!! My seniors are the same... music, non-stop... and crafts.. plus, BINGO!
2017-09-19 06:22:04 PM nicolespangler Don't get me started on BINGO!!!
2017-09-19 06:22:19 PM nicolespangler Mine go nuts for some Bingo. THey have it 3 times per week
2017-09-19 06:22:22 PM slooney I wish we could get them out to bbqs all year long... my guys want to go out on trips more often, but we don't have our own van so booking transport is a challenge!
2017-09-19 06:22:35 PM nicolespangler Oh that is a challenge.
2017-09-19 06:22:51 PM slooney I got BINGO down to twice a week, but prizes are a killer!! So, I was told by a more seasoned AD to try "Bingo Bucks"
2017-09-19 06:23:13 PM nicolespangler We have a van, but typically I can't get any volunteers to go with me, and with typically half of the residents wanting to go being in wheelchairs I can't push them all myself. :(
2017-09-19 06:23:31 PM slooney where they accrue the money but it's all stored in a Bingo Bank and they can use it once a month in our Bingo Store
2017-09-19 06:23:38 PM nicolespangler Yes I also was told about the bingo coins idea!
2017-09-19 06:23:49 PM slooney Oh wow! So you don't have much staff then?
2017-09-19 06:24:13 PM jhirczak enter the chat room
2017-09-19 06:25:04 PM nicolespangler The person that suggested it to me, uses "bingo quarters" and then has a country store open once a week for residents to use it on. And no we don't have any activities staff. We have about 95 residents and I am the one and only activity prfessional. I don't have assistants or anything so that has been difficult.
2017-09-19 06:25:31 PM nicolespangler Do you have additional activity staff at your facility?
2017-09-19 06:25:57 PM slooney I almost hate to tell you how many, knowing how strapped you are.
2017-09-19 06:26:12 PM slooney I'm the director of the department and i have three full time ladies and one part timer
2017-09-19 06:26:25 PM slooney our building can hold 142 but right now has a census of 101
2017-09-19 06:26:33 PM nicolespangler ({)
2017-09-19 06:26:46 PM nicolespangler Holy cow that is crazy, but so awesome!
2017-09-19 06:27:03 PM nicolespangler I am sure your facility has many more activities going on per day than ours then!
2017-09-19 06:27:37 PM slooney I'm at a snf so we have a dementia unit, then long term care without cognitive issues, then a rehab unit too
2017-09-19 06:27:47 PM slooney so we offer a broad spectrum of stuff each day
2017-09-19 06:27:55 PM slooney I'm so lucky to have my team!!
2017-09-19 06:29:59 PM nicolespangler Yes you are! That is cool! We are SNF as well, but no distinguished units.
2017-09-19 06:30:42 PM nicolespangler So I usually am able to get about 5-6 activities on the calendar per day, but other than volunteers I run them all.
2017-09-19 06:30:45 PM slooney My building has a lot of divisions... lol... they like "staying in their own lane" so to speak
2017-09-19 06:30:55 PM slooney Wow. You must be wiped out!!
2017-09-19 06:31:15 PM nicolespangler So It does stink because our programs can be a bit inconsistent due to the fact that if I get pulled into a meeting I miss the activity and no one esle is there to run it. :(
2017-09-19 06:31:17 PM slooney People don't understand how challenging it can be to stay on your toes like that all day!
2017-09-19 06:31:34 PM slooney Aw! How disappointing for your residents.
2017-09-19 06:31:41 PM slooney So, no way to get even a part timers?
2017-09-19 06:32:33 PM nicolespangler No our administrators is one of those sticklers about budget, so he wouldn't even let me hire like a high school or college student part time for the summer.
2017-09-19 06:32:49 PM slooney how awful.
2017-09-19 06:32:49 PM nicolespangler He says I seem to be getting along fine so must not need one.
2017-09-19 06:32:58 PM slooney oh my god!! RUDE!
2017-09-19 06:33:12 PM slooney do the aids help at all?
2017-09-19 06:33:17 PM nicolespangler yeah, he isn't one of the best individuals, but thats besides the point. lol
2017-09-19 06:33:43 PM slooney been there sister.
2017-09-19 06:34:12 PM nicolespangler The most our aides do is bring residents to activities, but don't really assist at all. They are busy too.
2017-09-19 06:34:14 PM slooney I have worked in LTC since 2015 and am on my 5th ED, been at the same building the whole time too
2017-09-19 06:34:28 PM nicolespangler HOLY COW!
2017-09-19 06:34:41 PM nicolespangler I just started in this field in May, and boy has it been eye opening
2017-09-19 06:35:04 PM slooney yea, i get that, but I'm working to change that my place... because, honestly, if our activity takes 10 people off the unit then that's one CNA assignment, so that aid should be down with us at the event, ya know?
2017-09-19 06:35:15 PM slooney It's amazing isn't it? You learn so much so fast!
2017-09-19 06:36:43 PM nicolespangler I agree with that about CNAs. Again, our budget administrator though limits how many aides we have, so for a hall with 30 residents we have 2 aides. So if I pull one, that leaves the other one for all the residents not participating which depending on the hall could be up to 25 residents.
2017-09-19 06:37:25 PM slooney Wow, that seems low... and those poor aids are working on 15 residents each? How do they get people up for breakfast!??
2017-09-19 06:37:39 PM nicolespangler But I have definitely learned a lot about the field in such a short time, the best part is working with the residents. I deal with all of the behind the scenes crap for them because they are what makes it awesome!
2017-09-19 06:38:15 PM slooney I know! I love listening to thier stories.... hearing about thier lives.
2017-09-19 06:38:24 PM nicolespangler They work their tails off, that is for sure! They start getting people up for breakfast like 2 hours early so everyone is up by breakfast time.
2017-09-19 06:38:42 PM slooney oh wow. that's work I have the utmost respect for!
2017-09-19 06:39:33 PM nicolespangler Me too! I always feel terrible asking much of the aides because they are stretched so thin as well!
2017-09-19 06:39:59 PM nicolespangler But so what kinds of activities do you have coming up for Halloween? Do you do a costume contest at all?
2017-09-19 06:40:18 PM jhirczak left the chat room
2017-09-19 06:40:43 PM slooney the staff dress up and parade for the residents
2017-09-19 06:40:48 PM slooney and a few of them wear costumes too
2017-09-19 06:40:58 PM nicolespangler I am trying to work out how to help these residents put together costumes without them being able to really leave the facility.
2017-09-19 06:40:58 PM slooney we give out candy and have live music
2017-09-19 06:41:09 PM nicolespangler But the staff costume parade is an awesome idea!
2017-09-19 06:41:13 PM slooney So, the dollar store is your best friend!
2017-09-19 06:41:27 PM slooney Just buy the hats, caps, head bands, etc
2017-09-19 06:41:31 PM slooney and a make up kit or two
2017-09-19 06:41:46 PM nicolespangler Oh thats a great idea!
2017-09-19 06:41:49 PM slooney keep it simple, because that would be their memory of halloween anyways!
2017-09-19 06:41:58 PM nicolespangler true true
2017-09-19 06:42:11 PM slooney I'm trying to see if the kinder care near us will walk over for treats too
2017-09-19 06:42:21 PM slooney I think the residents would love to see the kiddos all dressed up
2017-09-19 06:42:22 PM nicolespangler I was thinking getting little ears and small super hero masks and stuff like that, so thats awesome
2017-09-19 06:42:29 PM slooney perfect!!
2017-09-19 06:42:41 PM slooney and I'm going to invite families and staff families too
2017-09-19 06:42:46 PM slooney they love the little ones!!
2017-09-19 06:42:57 PM slooney and we'll have live music
2017-09-19 06:42:58 PM slooney so it
2017-09-19 06:43:02 PM slooney is a little party
2017-09-19 06:43:08 PM nicolespangler Oh that would be cool! We have an elementary school right down the street
2017-09-19 06:43:40 PM nicolespangler Yes, so far I am planning a party with Trick or treats "booths" for every department head with live music, and "sppoky treats" lol
2017-09-19 06:43:48 PM slooney see if they can parade over and let the residents give out candy!
2017-09-19 06:44:01 PM slooney the kids love the prizes and the residents love the interaction!
2017-09-19 06:44:11 PM slooney that sounds so fun!
2017-09-19 06:44:18 PM slooney i love the booth idea
2017-09-19 06:44:20 PM nicolespangler Yes, I will try that for sure! I will give them a call this week.
2017-09-19 06:44:42 PM slooney we put up a TON of decorations too
2017-09-19 06:44:48 PM slooney my building LOVES halloween
2017-09-19 06:45:05 PM nicolespangler Yeah I do the booth idea for tailgating season and the residents loved it, so I figured it would be prefect to do it again for halloween
2017-09-19 06:45:20 PM slooney so smart!
2017-09-19 06:45:47 PM nicolespangler Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday to decorate for, so I am already planning projects and crafts to make decorations and put up ones from years past
2017-09-19 06:45:54 PM slooney talking to a long time AD, she ssaid that she does selfie frames and every time there's an event she takes resident photos with it
2017-09-19 06:46:17 PM slooney so, you could make a halloween frame and take "selfies" to post around the building
2017-09-19 06:46:17 PM nicolespangler oh thats cool!
2017-09-19 06:46:37 PM nicolespangler Then after the event I could post the pictures on their community board in the common area
2017-09-19 06:46:41 PM slooney right? just dollar store and target $1 junky stuff
2017-09-19 06:46:45 PM slooney YUP!
2017-09-19 06:46:58 PM nicolespangler cool! such good ideas!
2017-09-19 06:47:38 PM slooney yea, the networking piece of this class is priceless!
2017-09-19 06:47:41 PM nicolespangler what are you dressing up as for halloween this year?
2017-09-19 06:47:46 PM slooney not sure!
2017-09-19 06:47:48 PM nicolespangler AGREED!
2017-09-19 06:47:50 PM slooney last year I did Mary Poppins
2017-09-19 06:48:09 PM slooney something that all the residents could recognize and I could work in all day
2017-09-19 06:48:10 PM nicolespangler Mary Poppins is so fun!
2017-09-19 06:48:14 PM slooney the year before I was a scare crow
2017-09-19 06:48:15 PM slooney lol
2017-09-19 06:48:20 PM slooney You??
2017-09-19 06:48:27 PM nicolespangler HAHA! nice
2017-09-19 06:48:53 PM nicolespangler I am going to be a bun in the oven, because I just let my residents know that I am pregnant now that I am 6 months along and finally showing. lol
2017-09-19 06:49:12 PM slooney Oh, congrats!! How hilarious!!
2017-09-19 06:49:13 PM nicolespangler So I am going to do like a 50s theme oven
2017-09-19 06:49:28 PM slooney how cute!!
2017-09-19 06:49:54 PM nicolespangler The only difficult part is that I will be walking around with a box around me all day. lol!!!
2017-09-19 06:50:08 PM slooney Hmmm... how about suspenders?
2017-09-19 06:50:14 PM slooney that way you can slip it off and on
2017-09-19 06:50:55 PM nicolespangler Yeah, thats what I was thinking of doing, so during more active activities and games I could really move lol
2017-09-19 06:50:57 PM nicolespangler and sit...
2017-09-19 06:51:12 PM slooney Yea, sitting is important!!!
2017-09-19 06:51:49 PM nicolespangler Do you all do any additional activities in the month of October to get ready for Halloween?
2017-09-19 06:51:58 PM nicolespangler I have planned a lot of crafting
2017-09-19 06:52:08 PM nicolespangler and a Monster Mash dance party one day
2017-09-19 06:52:28 PM slooney we have a ton of music... but before halloween we have an Oktoberfest planned
2017-09-19 06:52:37 PM slooney we have an austrian resident
2017-09-19 06:52:50 PM nicolespangler oh thats so cool!
2017-09-19 06:52:51 PM slooney and we'll have music (accordian player, who they love)
2017-09-19 06:53:00 PM slooney and pretzels and non-alcoholic beer!
2017-09-19 06:53:17 PM nicolespangler so fun!
2017-09-19 06:53:43 PM slooney then we'll get into black cats and bats and ghosts... but I try not to do anything with skeletons... I feel like it's too much of a reminder of their mortality... but maybe that's me projecting...
2017-09-19 06:54:14 PM nicolespangler the other department heads at my facility keep saying that I can do alcoholic beverages for residents that get a Drs order for it, but the Dr never signs the orders, so I don't want to get their hopes up and then fail them
2017-09-19 06:54:28 PM nicolespangler I agree!
2017-09-19 06:54:49 PM slooney yea, it's a challenge. We serve Bud Light alot... but O'Douls works just as well. And of course, bubbling cider for the wine enthusiasts
2017-09-19 06:54:54 PM nicolespangler I was thinking the more cutsy halloween stuff, nothing that reminds them of death or dying
2017-09-19 06:55:31 PM slooney Right? Because it can be a little too real... so no grim reapers or skeletons... that's my rule.
2017-09-19 06:55:36 PM nicolespangler our maintenace guy was wanting to make zombies, and I put a quick no to that....
2017-09-19 06:55:45 PM slooney yea, that's too dark.
2017-09-19 06:56:01 PM slooney I bought a t-shirt with Minnie Mouse in a witch's hat
2017-09-19 06:56:08 PM slooney so I'll be wearing that the week of Halloween
2017-09-19 06:56:10 PM nicolespangler way too dark! and he was not really understanding why it wasn't approrpriate
2017-09-19 06:56:30 PM nicolespangler I LOVE Disney so I fully support that shirt!
2017-09-19 06:56:31 PM slooney that can be hard because you want to encourage staff to help, but they have to understand the limitations
2017-09-19 06:56:55 PM slooney I'll have to send a pic! You'll crack up!
2017-09-19 06:56:55 PM nicolespangler right, I agree
2017-09-19 06:57:03 PM nicolespangler OMG yes!
2017-09-19 06:57:16 PM slooney so, my email is slooney@woodbriarhc.com
2017-09-19 06:57:23 PM nicolespangler My email for work it nspangler@seniorcarecentersltc.com btw so we can always share ideas
2017-09-19 06:57:31 PM slooney please, please email me! LOL!! GMTA!
2017-09-19 06:58:11 PM slooney Maybe we can collaborate on a pen pal program or something!
2017-09-19 06:58:28 PM nicolespangler omg, that would be awesome!
2017-09-19 06:58:40 PM slooney YEAH!
2017-09-19 06:58:43 PM slooney So glad we did this!!
2017-09-19 06:58:48 PM nicolespangler We used to do a pen pal with aonther facility and then they stopped sending things back so it ended. that would be great!
2017-09-19 06:58:52 PM slooney I'm Shannon by the way
2017-09-19 06:59:14 PM nicolespangler me too! Eveerything happens for a reason, and I am so glad we were able to connect!
2017-09-19 06:59:38 PM slooney :D
2017-09-19 07:00:06 PM slooney Well, have a lovely night! And I'll touch base with you soon!! Good luck with Halloween and the little "bun"
2017-09-19 07:00:15 PM nicolespangler With east coast time it is getting late out there for you, and my husband is beckoning me for dinner, so i will email you for sure!
2017-09-19 07:00:25 PM slooney Yeah!
2017-09-19 07:00:28 PM nicolespangler Thank you! and Have a great Halloween!
2017-09-19 07:00:30 PM slooney Good night, friend!
2017-09-19 07:00:40 PM nicolespangler Good night!
2017-09-19 07:00:42 PM nicolespangler :)
2017-09-19 07:00:47 PM nicolespangler left the chat room
2017-09-19 07:00:58 PM slooney left the chat room
2017-09-19 07:01:45 PM kathyhughes enter the chat room
2017-09-19 07:02:04 PM kathyhughes left the chat room

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