The Activity Professional's Notebook

Tips and articles relevant for today's Activity Professional
Activities + Nursing = Teamwork

Activities + Nursing = Teamwork

By Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS The nursing department is the largest department in most care communities.  Even though this department has the most staff, their staffing ratios are stretched over 24 hours and seven days a week.   Knowing the total care needs of...

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Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays by Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS The holiday season is a festive time of year, with increased activities and excitement. For many this is a special time, stimulating happy memories and anticipation. However, for individuals living with dementia...

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Gratitude is a Virtue

Gratitude is a Virtue

Gratitude is a Virtue by Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS Is the glass is half full or half empty?  Do you believe the sun will come out tomorrow?  Whatever happens, good or bad, can you find the positive in things?  Even in your darkest hour, can you find something to...

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Organizing a Sensory Program

Organizing a Sensory Program

Organizing a Sensory Program  By Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS  Meeting the individualized needs of individuals living with advanced dementia is challenging.  Many of our programs involve the ability to remain attentive, long and short term memory and conversational...

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Quality Assurance and the Activity Director

Quality Assurance and the Activity Director

Quality Assurance and the Activity Director By Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS Many activity directors are introduced to the process of quality assurance when they are given a pile of forms and they are told to have them completed by the next QA meeting.  Upon review...

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Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back! by Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS April is Global Volunteer Month, a month to honor the volunteers who dedicate their time to the community as well as to encourage volunteerism.  One of the casualties of the Covid pandemic was the volunteer programs in...

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Let’s Get Physical

Let’s Get Physical

Let's Get Physical By Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS I am a firm believer in the old adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it” and nothing is closer to the truth when discussing physical wellbeing and health.  Our bodies are made to be active and inactivity can...

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Themes for Life

Themes for Life

Themes for Life By Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS One of the popular programming techniques that activity professionals learn about is how to plan theme activities.  We learn to integrate seasonal, holiday and life themes into our monthly programs and daily...

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