| Debbie Hommel's A.D. Tips Dedicated to helping Activity Professionals with the daily operation of their department. by Debbie Hommel, BA, CRA, ACC, CRTS, Executive Director of DH Special Services |
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| DEBBIE HOMMEL Executive Director DH Special Services |
| About Debbie Debbie Hommel, BA, CRA, ACC, CRTS, is the Executive Director of DH Special Services. She is a Certified Activity Consultant on State and National level, with over twenty-seven years of experience in providing direct care and consultation to long term care, medical day care, assisted living, and ICF/MR facilities throughout New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. She is an experienced trainer and workshop presenter, conducting a variety of seminars throughout the Tri-State area for the Activity Professional, Administrator, and allied healthcare professional. Debbie Hommel is an active member of Activity Professional Associations on State and National levels. She is ACC certified through the NCCAP. She is a founding member of the New Jersey Activity Professionals' Association, serving terms as Vice President and President. She received the Weidner Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and the Monmouth & Ocean County Activity Professionals Life Achievement Award in 1999. |
| DEAR DEBBIE: Let Debbie answer your Activity Questions Visit DEAR DEBBIE: |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR TODAY Providing Internet Resources for Activity Professionals in Long Term Care Settings admin@theactivitydirectorsoffice.com Copyright 2004-Present The Activity Director's Office All Rights Reserved Disclaimer |
| RESIDENT SHOPPING & MORE At Resident Shopping & More you will find clothing and more for your residents. Also, you will find Activity Department supplies. |
| ACTIVITY DIRECTOR NOVELTIES Activity Director Novelties features promotional materials and gifts for you, your residents, your facility and your Department. Be sure to visit. |
| BOB'S CUSTOM DESIGNS Get promotional and gift items customized. Bob creates your design and makes it available for you on Activity Director Novelties. Buy as much or little as you want. (Design Fee $10.00) Contact Bob |
| Activity Director Books. Excellent Resources for Activity Professionals |
| Featuring supplies for parties, holiday celebrations and special events Click Here |
| ESPECIALLY DESIGNED WITH SENIORS IN MIND |
| FEATURING TONS OF BULLETIN BOARD AND CRAFT SUPPLIES |
Knowledge + Power = Activity Professional
By Debbie Hommel, ACC, CTRS
As a paid profession, the world of therapeutic activities is a new one, having been in
existence only thirty four years. The term “activities” was introduced in the 1974 federal
regulations for nursing homes which officially introduced our service. Our professional
status was strengthened by the development of the National Association of Activity
Professionals in 1981, followed by the development of the national activity certification
program through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals in 1986.
Our current job title, Activity Professional, was coined in 1992 when revisions to the
federal regulations adopted the title. Having just celebrated my thirtieth year as an
activity professional, I am proud to see how far we have come as “professionals”.
However, the truth remains we are still working to earn respect for our programs and
the positive outcomes evident in our approaches. Although we have grown
tremendously as a profession, we still have a long way to go.
What can you do to ensure our continued growth as a profession and to work toward
gaining respect for the work that we do? The first step is to get certified. National
Certification through the National Certification Council of Activity Professionals is the
only certification program which certifies individuals providing therapeutic activities for
elders in long term care settings. The certification is recognized in the Federal
regulations for nursing homes as a qualifying credential, as well as in many State
regulations. If you are not currently certified, develop an education plan to help you in
achieving certification. If you have not yet taken the MEPAP (Modular Education Program
for Activity Professionals) course, find a local instructor and information about their
course schedules. If such programs are not available in your area – the internet has
become the new educational meeting place.
Once you are certified and have taken the basic and standard coursework for the activity
professional – you need to maintain your certification and professional status. Many
activity professionals share difficulty getting out to classes and seminars. Independent
study courses are becoming a popular choice for the busy activity professional as the
work can be done around a busy schedule. To maintain your national certification,
individuals must attend 2-4 (10-20 contact hours) classes per year. My website offers
independent study programs, approved by the National Certification Council for Activity
Professionals. Current topics include professional development, motivation,
programming concepts, quality assurance and documentation. New programs are
added monthly.
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals offers an opportunity for
experienced activity professionals who may have taken a course prior to the introduction
of the MEPAP to become certified. Track 5 requirements include completion of a basic
course between 36 and 90 hours between the years 1991 and 2001; six years
experience (12,000 hours) in activities in a geriatric setting within the past ten years;
and thirty hours of continuing education within past five years, six of which is focused on
activity documentation.
Is certification the only answer to professional growth of the individual and our
profession as a whole? Obtaining national certification is just the beginning and will
provide the activity professional with a foundation of knowledge and understanding to
continue moving our profession forward. We each need to become the expert on
therapeutic activities and person centered care in our communities. This does not
mean become a “know-it-all” but someone who is knowledgeable about the
interventions, outcomes and current status of our profession. Knowledge and power
are best intermingled. Sir Francis Bacon said it first in the 1600’s – “Knowledge is
Power”. Being knowledgeable and sharing that knowledge in a positive, productive
way is influential. Power is the ability to influence others to act.
Another way to contribute to the strength of our profession is to join the activity
professional associations in your local area as well as state and national
associations. They have conventions, seminars, newsletters and web sites to support
the activity professional. Nationally, they represent the activity professional in legislative
matters and keep us informed of regulatory changes, survey processes and news.
Locally, our State and regional groups allow active networking and communication
amongst working activity professionals. I have a listing of National and State
associations on my website. If your state has a group that is not listed, feel free to send
me information and I will include it in the listing.
The activity profession will continue to grow and prosper if we nurture our never-ending
desire to seek out new ideas and to provide the best programs for our elders;
participate in continuing education whether you have been in the profession one year or
twenty; work cooperatively with fellow activity professionals and interdisciplinary staff;
and continuously commit to the values of our profession.
By Debbie Hommel, ACC, CTRS
As a paid profession, the world of therapeutic activities is a new one, having been in
existence only thirty four years. The term “activities” was introduced in the 1974 federal
regulations for nursing homes which officially introduced our service. Our professional
status was strengthened by the development of the National Association of Activity
Professionals in 1981, followed by the development of the national activity certification
program through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals in 1986.
Our current job title, Activity Professional, was coined in 1992 when revisions to the
federal regulations adopted the title. Having just celebrated my thirtieth year as an
activity professional, I am proud to see how far we have come as “professionals”.
However, the truth remains we are still working to earn respect for our programs and
the positive outcomes evident in our approaches. Although we have grown
tremendously as a profession, we still have a long way to go.
What can you do to ensure our continued growth as a profession and to work toward
gaining respect for the work that we do? The first step is to get certified. National
Certification through the National Certification Council of Activity Professionals is the
only certification program which certifies individuals providing therapeutic activities for
elders in long term care settings. The certification is recognized in the Federal
regulations for nursing homes as a qualifying credential, as well as in many State
regulations. If you are not currently certified, develop an education plan to help you in
achieving certification. If you have not yet taken the MEPAP (Modular Education Program
for Activity Professionals) course, find a local instructor and information about their
course schedules. If such programs are not available in your area – the internet has
become the new educational meeting place.
Once you are certified and have taken the basic and standard coursework for the activity
professional – you need to maintain your certification and professional status. Many
activity professionals share difficulty getting out to classes and seminars. Independent
study courses are becoming a popular choice for the busy activity professional as the
work can be done around a busy schedule. To maintain your national certification,
individuals must attend 2-4 (10-20 contact hours) classes per year. My website offers
independent study programs, approved by the National Certification Council for Activity
Professionals. Current topics include professional development, motivation,
programming concepts, quality assurance and documentation. New programs are
added monthly.
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals offers an opportunity for
experienced activity professionals who may have taken a course prior to the introduction
of the MEPAP to become certified. Track 5 requirements include completion of a basic
course between 36 and 90 hours between the years 1991 and 2001; six years
experience (12,000 hours) in activities in a geriatric setting within the past ten years;
and thirty hours of continuing education within past five years, six of which is focused on
activity documentation.
Is certification the only answer to professional growth of the individual and our
profession as a whole? Obtaining national certification is just the beginning and will
provide the activity professional with a foundation of knowledge and understanding to
continue moving our profession forward. We each need to become the expert on
therapeutic activities and person centered care in our communities. This does not
mean become a “know-it-all” but someone who is knowledgeable about the
interventions, outcomes and current status of our profession. Knowledge and power
are best intermingled. Sir Francis Bacon said it first in the 1600’s – “Knowledge is
Power”. Being knowledgeable and sharing that knowledge in a positive, productive
way is influential. Power is the ability to influence others to act.
Another way to contribute to the strength of our profession is to join the activity
professional associations in your local area as well as state and national
associations. They have conventions, seminars, newsletters and web sites to support
the activity professional. Nationally, they represent the activity professional in legislative
matters and keep us informed of regulatory changes, survey processes and news.
Locally, our State and regional groups allow active networking and communication
amongst working activity professionals. I have a listing of National and State
associations on my website. If your state has a group that is not listed, feel free to send
me information and I will include it in the listing.
The activity profession will continue to grow and prosper if we nurture our never-ending
desire to seek out new ideas and to provide the best programs for our elders;
participate in continuing education whether you have been in the profession one year or
twenty; work cooperatively with fellow activity professionals and interdisciplinary staff;
and continuously commit to the values of our profession.
