Sue

Thanks, Solange for this great site. I've been reading the comments of those who have had some bad experiences and I'm one of those too. I moved from the city to be the new DT in a country area, with an acting facility manager in place. The existing lifestyle team resented me from the start, even though I went to great lengths to develop good relationships and a team environment. The nursing management team were bullies, and no one wanted change - except the residents.
The new permanent facility manager abruptly terminated my contract 2 weeks before the end of my 6 months probation with no warning, citing a non-existent performance review and skewed facts. I too, wasn't allowed back.

I did look at redress but then decided against it, as this is a small area. And I also didn't want the stress.

It's interesting to note how many ads have been in the paper since then, for new staff of all persuasions in this facility. I have spoken to others in the street, and they all say the same thing - it's a very unhappy place. How can this be? And how can it be allowed to be??!! We look after people who are in their twilight years, and deserve the best. And this is what they are given!!

I have since decided to quit DT as I am sick of the overwork, underpay and lack of support and respect for what we do. In the past, I was able to ignore all that and focus on the joy and satisfaction our residents gained from the activities and programmes we delivered, WITH JOY AND ENTHUSIASM!! I know I wasn't a perfect DT, but I did made the mistake of putting my residents first and the paperwork and pen pushing second.

I know there are others out there who have had and are having good experiences in our chosen profession. It would be great to hear from them too. Cheers, Sue

Hi there
I work in a high care facility with a special needs unit (SNU)attached. When we take SNU residents out on the bus (they don't get off)ratio is two staff plus excellent helpful driver, to 17 residents. When we take nursing home residents out, depending on where we are going and how many wheelchairs, we take three staff plus driver and as many volunteers as we can get (usually one or two).

Thanks for a great site. Is there a possibility of adding a Forum to this site, as there appears to be many people (like me) who work pretty much alone. It's good to have other DT's/Lifetylers to bounce ideas and questions off.
Thanks Solange

Hi Solange
Thank you for a great site!
On March 17 you replied to Scott re a group membership option. I am a member of Golden Carers myself and my boss has offered to pay for my membership when it comes due and asked if there was an option for a group membership so that the other Lifestyle staff could benfit from your wonderful site too. Could you please forward the information? Thanks, Sue