Yes Bologna

This Father's Day I wanted to serve something healthy, and blue. After a quick poll of fathers, I found out that men don't really care about color coordinating their snacks. They also don't care about health at a party.

For our social I picked up a special local bologna, cheese, crackers, cookies, and cupcakes. It took a few phones calls to delis, but the food brought back memories to many residents. We laid out blue tablecloths in the dining room and a favorite band came in to sing and play for the residents. We focused on inviting the men (who are all fathers in some way) but the women who peaked in were welcome to attend. For once, they were outnumbered.

One of the female residents who I took back to her room reminded me of why activities are important, although much different from the medical services offered. She told me that morning had been difficult for her and she prayed for God to help her get through the day. Then, she heard music coming from down the hall.  She could not believe the band took the request for one of her favorite songs. The social "revived her".

I love my job. No bologna.

America's White Table

A Veteran told me to look up "America's White Table" when I asked for advice about making Memorial Day a special day for the residents. I'm so glad he did.

The table honors the men and women who served in America’s Armed Forces

The table is round- to show our everlasting devotion and concern for our fallen and missing comrades.

The cloth is white- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life, and the blood that was shed, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith and await answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our commitment, and continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

The salt is to remind us of the tears endured by those missing and their families who still seek answers.

The black napkin is a reminder of the isolation, deprivation, and cruel fate our missing.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted- to symbolize their inability to share this evening with us.

The chair is empty and tilted -they are not here- and will remain so until they return or are accounted for.

"You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains"

Residents decorated the table centerpieces with flags, I hung bunting on the gazebo, and the Women's Auxiliary donated hand made poppies for each resident to wear.

Tea with Ashley

 Last week I added myself into the schedule. "Tea with Ashley" was busy with me asking residents what cup they'd like and what tea they preferred to fill it with. After we'd all steeped, I asked what June meant to them and got some ideas for decorations for next month. It was great to spend time with the residents that way. They enjoyed the social but suggested crumpets next time. Stay tuned for "Crumpets with Ashley".

Pieces in the Center

In each dining room, we're making additions.

 

The tables are about about to improve.

Plastic flower pot centerpieces,

With a space for decorative inserts.

Today we worked a few to prepare for Memorial Day.

Greetings

My dream job is here.

I am now the Activities Director with three levels of care: skilled nursing, memory care, and assisted living.

As I learn about my new facility, the residents, and my employees, one my first tasks has been to sort the supplies we have. I want to know what activities we can offer the residents, and make sure our budget goes towards materials we don't already have hidden on a shelf.

One thing I will not be purchasing is greeting cards. We have tons. So many, in fact, I put the boxes of them on a cart and started a Greeting Card Club. Assisted Living residents enjoy sorting through the cards to organize them by category. They marry the cards with envelopes. They talk about the lost art of writing a letter.



The cards will be available to residents who'd like to use them. Eventually the Club will be in charge of delivering birthday, anniversary, achievement, and get well notes to the other residents.

Keep Calm and Leprechaun

There are a lot of reasons not to linger on the Valentine's holiday so we made new decorations for the fridge. We used a template of shamrocks cut in 3 sizes as stencils on St. Patrick's scrapbook paper. We glued a smaller onto a larger and tied it with ribbon. One resident in particular was able to cut the ribbon for borders and for the clovers, much to the amazement of her daughters. What I like about decorating is that everyone can take part on some level even if just to voice an opinion about placement.

We changed the table decorations for similar reasons and I can say that the idea for them was lucky inspiration. I gave myself a small limit to spend on them just for fun and found colored pipe cleaners that I knew I wanted to use. We already had garden stakes and small styrofoam balls and by cutting the pipe cleaners we  could make little rainbows between the stakes. It didn't look quite right so I thought to use cotton to give the styrofoam a more cloud-like look. In the jars we used green stones and a even a few "gold" coins. I think they turned out quite nice.

Our Dining is Dynamite

On Presidents' Day we began by making a craft for our friends in the memory care unit. Penny pendants involved cutting three sized stars of red white and blue paper, punching a hole, hanging ribbon, gluing a penny, and a trip to the bank. Afterwards we continued the celebration with Presidential trivia and even a crossword puzzle during happy hour.

This month is Dining Appreciation month and I know candy usually goes over pretty well. We used rolos, paper, curling ribbon, and a bunch of tape to make little stick of boom powder. We did not win a peace prize for them, but the kitchen staff were happy that they were finally recognized.