Forum Discussion

Absolutely.

Personally I would benefit from note taking training and tips. Otherwise it would always be beneficial just to meet with others in a similar role to compare notes and toss ideas around. I work in two very small facilities and having a network would help tenfold.

Yes, I found my training to be incredibly helpful. "Hands-on" training was especially important: reading a textbook or article is fine, but putting it into practice makes all the difference.
Topics I would suggest include:
-time management
-recognizing common illnesses and medication side effects in the elderly
-interpersonal communication skills (for effectively communicating with co-workers, supervisors, volunteers, tenants, among others)
-budgeting
-general state/province laws with respect to elder care
-how to adapt an activity idea for implementation with various elderly populations (for example: how to execute a craft project for people with no/mild dementia AND moderate/severe dementia;
-how to write accurate and appropriate progress notes

If I think of others, I'll post again.

Thank you Maree and Nori - this will help me create an agenda for all 13 of my Activity Coordinators!

Hi, I would say yes this is something that needs to be updated all the time. Not only does it help with helping you to train others when they become a member of the work force so it compliments the care skills, but as time goes on we need to adapt out activities to the ever changing levels of dementia etc.

I second Nori I am struggling with very mixed Dementia and expected to Coordinate and
do the activities myself. The space we have is very small and most everyone is in chairs hard to fit a table in without people getting caught into it. I have 2-4 HF and the rest LF or the middle I can't seem to find anything other than sing a longs where I can be up chasing or untangling wheelchairs .

Hi Khelie, it is rather sad your facility does not provide the space you need. Still, forget the table, clients on wheelchairs may enjoy group activities from a whiteboard perspective: word games, crosswords, and Antonyms, Synonyms finding (brain food), also to play the suction cup balls and Hangman. ​Hope your situation regarding space changes sooner than later.​ All the best.