| Re-Creative Resources By Kimberly Grandal, BA, CTRS, ACC, Executive Director http://www.recreativeresources.com/index.htm |
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| RESIDENT SHOPPING & MORE At Resident Shopping & More you will find clothing and more for your residents. Also, you will find Activity Department supplies. |
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| ESPECIALLY DESIGNED WITH SENIORS IN MIND |
| FEATURING TONS OF BULLETIN BOARD AND CRAFT SUPPLIES |
| KIMBERLY GRANDAL Executive Director Re-Creative Resources |
| About Kim Kimberly Grandal, Founder and Executive Director of Re- Creative Resources, Inc., is a strong advocate for the field of Therapeutic Recreation and Activities, with over fifteen years of experience working with the elderly in numerous management and consultant positions. She is an Activity Consultant Certified and a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Kim is a member of the New Jersey Activity Professionals Association and the New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association. In 1990, Kim graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in Sociology and later studied gerontology courses at Union County College and Therapeutic Recreation courses at Kean University. Throughout her career, Kim has been the Director of Therapeutic Recreation for several long- term care facilities, including one of NJ’s largest. In 2006, Kim founded Re- Creative Resources Inc. She is a speaker for various state and local activity associations such as NJAPA, MOCAP, and NJACA, as well as the Society of Licensed Nursing Home Administrators of NJ. She also offers lectures for Re-Creative Resources Inc., local colleges, and community groups, and provides consultation and support to numerous facilities in the state. Kim is the editor and writer for the “The Rec-Room", a monthly newsletter published by her company. In addition, she writes monthly articles for the Activity Directors Office newsletter, and has contributed articles to Creative Forecasting Magazine, and The Continuing Care Insite newsletter. Kim is a recipient of the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation 1997 Triumph of the Human Spirit Award. Her passion is to promote the field of Therapeutic Recreation and Activities and to unite Recreation Therapists and Activity Professionals. Kim currently serves on the NJAPA board as the Chairperson for the Legislation Committee. |
| About Re-Creative Resources Inc. Re-Creative Resources, Inc. is committed to enhancing the lives of long-term care residents through the use of Therapeutic Recreation. We provide a variety of services such as Therapeutic Recreation seminars, in-services, resources, form development, program analysis and development, consultation, and support for activity professionals and recreational therapists. A selection of downloadable training materials and forms are available for your convenience as well as a free job posting site. |
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Advocacy for the Activity/Recreation Professional
Advocacy for Quality of Life
Kimberly Grandal, CTRS,ACC/EDU
When asked by blogger Jonathan Rosenfeld Of Nursing Homes Abuse Blog, (http:
//www.nursinghomesabuseblog.com/2010/04/articles/national-nursing-home-
issues/nursing-home-insights-from-the-director-of-a-therapeutic-recreation-and-activity-
consultant/#pings) to discuss negative trends in long-term care, I made the following
statement:
“I see more and more facilities adopting the culture change movement, which in
theory is a wonderful approach to care. With this trend however, I also hear
more and more stories that certified and qualified Activity Professionals and
Recreational Therapists are being replaced by the "universal worker". Often times
you'll see more domestic type activities in these culture change homes, which
is fine for some residents, but not for all-I fear that we will abolish the field of
therapeutic activities and recreation in LTC based on the assumption that
uncertified, unqualified individuals can facilitate meaningful activities.”
Little did I know that my statement would spark such an interest from Kevin Kolus, an
editor of Long Term Living Magazine. As a result, I had a phone interview with Mr. Kolus
and was asked to discuss some of the implications that the Universal Worker may have
on the Activity Profession and the quality of life of the elders. Vicky Surash, MEPAP
Instructor and Owner of Forget Me Not Consulting, was interviewed as well. You will be
able to read this editorial in the June issue of Long Term Living at http://www.
ltlmagazine.com
Apparently I am not alone in my fear that the Activity Profession and the quality of life of
our beloved elders may be in jeopardy due to the hiring of the Universal Worker in the
Culture Change Movement. To read the opinions of many Activity and Recreation
Professionals from around the country and Canada, visit. http://www.
recreativeresources.com/speakoutaboutculturechange.htm. If you would like to express
your thoughts, please email me at kimgrandal@aol.com.
The time is now to educate anyone and everyone regarding our role as the Activity
Professional and what our skill and knowledge bases are as compared to the
Universal Worker. Think of it like this: On a snow day, when many people call out due to
the inclement weather, what roles do the Activity Staff often take on? In most cases the
Activity staff help the residents with meals, make beds, clean up, minor ADL’s, etc. The
scheduled activities seem to go by the waist side because the primary concern is
getting the residents, washed, dressed, fed and all of their medical needs attended to.
Now, this is how I fear the care for the residents will be like under the facilitation of the
Universal Worker. Quality of life will go by the way side and inactivity will increase. Jack-
of-all trades, Master of None, that’s how I feel about the Universal Worker. Don’t let the
elders lose their quality of life because it’s a snow day every day in some culture
change facilities!
Advocacy for Quality of Life
Kimberly Grandal, CTRS,ACC/EDU
When asked by blogger Jonathan Rosenfeld Of Nursing Homes Abuse Blog, (http:
//www.nursinghomesabuseblog.com/2010/04/articles/national-nursing-home-
issues/nursing-home-insights-from-the-director-of-a-therapeutic-recreation-and-activity-
consultant/#pings) to discuss negative trends in long-term care, I made the following
statement:
“I see more and more facilities adopting the culture change movement, which in
theory is a wonderful approach to care. With this trend however, I also hear
more and more stories that certified and qualified Activity Professionals and
Recreational Therapists are being replaced by the "universal worker". Often times
you'll see more domestic type activities in these culture change homes, which
is fine for some residents, but not for all-I fear that we will abolish the field of
therapeutic activities and recreation in LTC based on the assumption that
uncertified, unqualified individuals can facilitate meaningful activities.”
Little did I know that my statement would spark such an interest from Kevin Kolus, an
editor of Long Term Living Magazine. As a result, I had a phone interview with Mr. Kolus
and was asked to discuss some of the implications that the Universal Worker may have
on the Activity Profession and the quality of life of the elders. Vicky Surash, MEPAP
Instructor and Owner of Forget Me Not Consulting, was interviewed as well. You will be
able to read this editorial in the June issue of Long Term Living at http://www.
ltlmagazine.com
Apparently I am not alone in my fear that the Activity Profession and the quality of life of
our beloved elders may be in jeopardy due to the hiring of the Universal Worker in the
Culture Change Movement. To read the opinions of many Activity and Recreation
Professionals from around the country and Canada, visit. http://www.
recreativeresources.com/speakoutaboutculturechange.htm. If you would like to express
your thoughts, please email me at kimgrandal@aol.com.
The time is now to educate anyone and everyone regarding our role as the Activity
Professional and what our skill and knowledge bases are as compared to the
Universal Worker. Think of it like this: On a snow day, when many people call out due to
the inclement weather, what roles do the Activity Staff often take on? In most cases the
Activity staff help the residents with meals, make beds, clean up, minor ADL’s, etc. The
scheduled activities seem to go by the waist side because the primary concern is
getting the residents, washed, dressed, fed and all of their medical needs attended to.
Now, this is how I fear the care for the residents will be like under the facilitation of the
Universal Worker. Quality of life will go by the way side and inactivity will increase. Jack-
of-all trades, Master of None, that’s how I feel about the Universal Worker. Don’t let the
elders lose their quality of life because it’s a snow day every day in some culture
change facilities!