Walnut Hills Convalescent Center Inc

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Administrative staff fails to understand the connection between quality of life and healthy activities. The following letter was writen concerning this matter. To date ( Nov. 9 2010) their has not been any changes made. My pushing for improvement lead to my dismissal. The patients deserve better.



To: Senior Staff June 27, 2010

Walnut Hills Convalescent

From: Daniel Marshall

It is no secret that the lack of performance by the Activity Department is something that has often frustrated me. Many of you have told me that I get angry about the wrong thing and I shouldn’t let it bother me. Why not? We are working very hard to fill a large number of empty rooms but this work can be under minded when this department continues to have activities with the same four to six people day after day while ignoring all the others. Appearances are everything and opinions are too often formed by first impressions.

Consider this; the biggest and fastest form of advertising is by word of mouth. You can have the best web site, the nicest brochure, or the biggest billboard; still these will come second to what people are saying. However, this form of advertisement can be very negative and do more harm than good. What are the families of those ignored saying? Families faced with the decision of having to place a loved one in a home often concern themselves with the happiness of the individual. The happiness of our residents, or anyone for that matter, can be measured in their actions; a smile, laughter, the physical energy they may demonstrate. It cannot be found in a person sitting alone staring at a wall or television, seen as being ignored. The activity department can leave a lasting impression and give people something positive to talk about. They can be out in front and help lead the way to a more positive image.

An article in the March 2004 issue of the “Journal of Mental Health” states that there is growing evidence that links physical activity and mental health. Benefits can include mood elevation, better cognitive functioning, and improved self-perception. Research has also shown that physical activities can help with symptom management of a wide range of mental health problems. The Department of Health (1996) emphasizes that physical activity is an important health related behavior. This is where the Activity Department becomes a very important tool. Improving the quality of life for all our patients (not a select few), is what we are all about. The happier our patients the happier their families, this is good for business.

What is the reason that they both have to be in the same room? Each of the activity personnel can have their own group, one in the front and the other in the dining room. Both persons have held the position of director, are we using both to our full advantage? With six halls in the building and seven days in a week it is totally plausible every resident have the chance to participate. (It is important here that I point out that the activities should be designed around the likes and dislikes of the residents, not the activity personnel.) Using a rotating schedule each could take one hall per day, involving as many residents as possible at one time. This would also allow the aids on the hall the opportunity to work with the activities department breaking up their daily routine. This in turn could increase employee morale. There is also an advantage to be had by the house keeping and maintenance departments, providing easier access to rooms that are now empty on a daily bases.

I am not so naïve as to think that the activities department is the answer, but I know we can agree that it can be a start. With our census so low can we afford not to use this tool to its full potential?

Thank you for your time and any input you may have will be welcome.



Sincerely,

Daniel Marshall