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Hello.
As an Activities Director in a Life Care Community (a retirement community with independent living, assisted living, and medical/health center) I have decided to combine my two passions together and start this blog. My first passion is my job! I have been working for the same company for the past 15 years and before that I was at a company for 10 years. I've know since high school that this was going to be the job for me!

My other passion is writing. (Notice that I did not say spelling.) I thought that I was going to be a journalist when I was younger until I realized that proper spelling was a necessity, and there was no spell check available at the time.

My goal for this blog is to share what I do in my job as activities director with other activities directors and help and inspire them. I feel that although we are competitors in the business world, that if I can help you make your resident's lives richer, than it is a winning situation for all of us! Please take time to read through the different articles here. Make sure that you follow Recharging Retirees by clicking on your preferred method, RRS Feed, FaceBook, Twitter, etc using the links found on the right side of the page. And last, but not least..... please COMMENT, COMMENT AND COMMENT SOME MORE! Together we can enhance the lives of our residents more efficiently and effectively!

Thank you!
Martha
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Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    ok now I have a google acount so I can post,Hi Martha, my name is laurie Faulkner and I have worked as an activity Director for 19 years now, now I am the Life Enrichment Director, At Emeritus at La Casa Grande In New Port Richey Florida, Where are you in Florida??? Going to follow your blog, need new Ideas and help with burn out, Finally have an assist. but keep getting new jobs,...ie... del mail so we can't get out from under.... next big job putting christmas away.. Love to see a copy of your calendar on here, were assisted living for profit,225 residents, ind, asst, and alz. talk to you soon.....Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Hi Martha! it sounds like you have it all together!!
    I have been in this business for 20 years and saw your new site last night.
    Congratulations on what you are doing!
    I will be following you ok?
    I am just recently retired....live in Texas.
    It's a great profession.....and a lot of fun work too!!!
    Esty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sue SchmidtJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Hi Martha! Read about your blog on the Yahoo AD Digest and thought I'd stroll over and take a look. Sounds like you have a lot of good info to share- just what I'm looking for! I am an ADC in an Americare 35 room AL in KS. I have only paid for entertainment a handful of times in my 8 years there. Use most of my budget on outings, refreshments, prizes, etc. Spent 10 years in activities/social services in LTC prior to AL. Love my job but do occasionally experience burnout, as well. Looking forward to seeing what you have to say! Sue

    ReplyDelete
  4. Recharging RetireesJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Welcome ladies! Thanks for checking in on this blog. I hope to hear your ideas on this subject and anything else that you think we can all learn from.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Martha-
    Great blog and ideas.
    It has been interesting reading your posts.
    Jane
    http://www.activityconsultant.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Recharging RetireesFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Thank you Jane. I hope you will come back often and comment so that we can hear your ideas too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Hello Martha...thank you for the invitation to visit your blog. I use something similar to your worksheet to plan every event that takes place in our clubhouse. It is our Event Planner, which also encompasses set up needs, food & beverages, audio/visual needs, in house station message, tours & presentations, linens/decorations, parking, clean-up, and other. I wouldn't be successful with out this form, plus it acts as our communication tool to inform other departments of our needs. I too save these forms for future reference. Organization of computer files is key! As for documenting entertainers, I found using MS Outlook Contacts is perfect...you have all of their details including SSN, fees, genre, completion date of audition/demo, the last time they performed, rating, whether or not they are re-hirable...and when they call, I pull up the contact file and I know everything that is needed to make a decision. I don't hire the same entertainer on an annual basis so this information is helpful to ensure that I am not hiring someone too soon. I use this for cold call inquiries or mailings as well, I add all the details I know from the call or mailing. When the entertainer follows up, I know if a demo has been received or if an audition has been completed or not, plus any other missing details, it is noted here so when the call is received, I know what to request before moving forward with the hiring process. I look forward to having access to new programming ideas, suggestions, and problem solving. Diana

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    Diana,
    I am so excited to read your post. It makes me think that I might be able to use our email system (GroupWise) to include what you mentioned above. We'll see. Is the Event Planner that you mentioned a document or a software program? I look forward to hearing more from you. Thanks again for your post! - Martha

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Martha,
    Finally, I had a moment to check back in. The Event Planner is a document created in MS Word. It is now used by all departments who plan events and have needs or require assistance. It is an excellent communication tool.
    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into it! - Martha

    ReplyDelete

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