Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA)

I am so excited about the presentation by Dee Rita, surveyor, with the CDPHE in Sept.  I understand that Terry Z. gave a presentation a few years ago entitled “You can do what a Surveyor does” or something similar.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t around for that so I am thankful that CALA is  hosting this one.  There are so many questions that arise on a daily basis at my ALR.  Thank goodness for the surveyor on call line.  But I think this presentation will be a  good opportunity to hear what questions other administrators have and learn from those.

I hope to see y’all there, Maggie

I am here in Bayfield, Colorado.  It is abut thirty minutes east of Durango.  I stay at my Aunt and Uncle’s A-Frame in Forest Lakes.  I come here to relax and try not to think too much about work.  I bring a bag of books, files to sort through.  But there are always things I think about or worry about, some problem I need to work on when I return.

I just hired someone as a caregiver/activities person.  I also put in the ad “Trainee for owner/operator.”   I have a ten bedroom home.   I decided I should start training people to own and operate their own homes.   This is a way of giving back .  It took me a long time to learn what I do and I think I do it well.  It’s time to share the knowledge.   Several people called.  There is an LPN I am interested in, but I need to check her references.  She has a five year gap in employment.  She said this was when she was getting her LPN and raising her kids.  I stopped the ad, but I am still getting calls.  I will set up interviews when I return.  I will keep you all informed with my adventures in hiring and training.

I will leave you with a thought.  If you hire someone and all of a sudden they realize they cannot do the job due to outside reasons, talk to them in a few weeks or a month after they are gone.  Ask them for advice and what their impressions were.  I learned a lot about my staff’s work ethics–or, lack of.

Chris, owner of Timberline Lodge

We purchased our facility 2 1/2 years ago.  All of our folks have mental illness.  There was no activity program in place when we started.  We were told that our residents weren’t interested in activities.  We decided to hire a dedicated activity director and he has created a fantastic program.  We don’t get a 100% participation all of the time but there are more and more folks that participate for every activity.  Some of our activities include Chinese tea parties, giant floor puzzles, crossword puzzles, bronco toss (a favorite), BBQs in the park, horseshoes and more. And the activities don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

I know that everyone is looking for activities in light of the new medicaid regs.  If I can be of any help or if you have any suggestions on improving activity programs, post them here or respond back with your email and I will contact you. I’m am looking forward to everyone’s ideas.

Maggie