[humanser] [humane] best practices

Ericka dotwriter1 at gmail.com
Thu Oct 1 22:15:55 UTC 2015 

I'd love to talk to you Lisa. I've been gone from the job and I know that things have changed. What I want stood on paper now is done on computerized medical records. I do have some usable vision and I've had my share of people voicing safety concerns. Nothing ever happened and I'm grateful my boss is always stood up for me. I had to get voc rehab in there sometimes to get things accommodated. I am surprised that as director you couldn't just relegate things to others. I went on various trips as an assistant and things worked out fine. Our group worked together. Nowadays the nursing home I worked at only has two staff members, one being the director. I don't know how they work things out. My boss would give me my job back if that was an option. That makes me feel good, but like you I need the  pay.

Contact me off-line at DOTWRITER 1 at gmail.com

Ericka Short
"Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 1, 2015, at 3:06 PM, Lisa Irving via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Erica, 
> 
> 
> I trained to work as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and ended up
> working as an Activities Director for a couple of facilities. I never worked
> as a TRS because I didn't have the protections of the ADA and I lost my
> national certification. Both Activities Director and TRS positions often
> require the ability to transport clients to community outings... In theory,
> I should have been able to swap tasks with other TRS and Activities staff;
> not the reality. There was always the issue of supervising frail elderly
> folks who sometimes wandered off. In theory, a nurses aid should have been
> present; not the reality. It pains and it also depresses me to reflect on
> that area of my life. My vocational calling was to work as a Nationally
> certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NCTRS.  I'm 51 years-old and I
> am less willing to bang my head against the wall to prove that I am right
> and that I can do whatever I set my mind to doing. This doesn't mean that
> I've thrown in the towel. It means I pick and choose where I invest my
> talents, time and abilities. I'm more inclined to lean toward group
> education, facilitating discussion groups, warm line work and learning how
> to do case worker related tasks. 
> 
> Best,
> Lisa Irving 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ericka via
> humanser
> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 11:22 AM
> To: Human Services Division Mailing List
> Cc: Ericka
> Subject: Re: [humanser] best practices
> 
> Lisa, JD is right. One of the best jobs I ever had though part time, was
> activity assistant at a nursing home.
> There are lots of day programs out there for people with Alzheimer's and
> other dementias. I think you're probably well-qualified for something like
> that. It may not be well-paying but the experience alone would be worth it.
> I volunteered on and off for several years in these type of programs. Most
> of the time they were very welcoming to someone with a disability. I'm
> talking about the staff. The attendees usually are thrilled to have someone
> different like they are. They can relate to you more than someone
> able-bodied.
> 
> Don't give up! I've never worked full-time and I mostly volunteered because
> my seizure meds have been screwed up on and off. I'm in the same place you
> are. I am looking to get back into the job force. I worked mostly with
> seniors but I'm looking for a different turn. I wish you the best of luck
> and keep us posted.
> 
> Ericka Short
> "Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Sep 27, 2015, at 10:30 PM, JD Townsend via humane <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Hello Lisa,
>> 
>> 30 years seems like two lifetimes, however your insight and skills 
>> have grown with you.  Do not look at the time laps as a problem, as 
>> the time you spent away from your field has added to your person.  I 
>> have a good friend who received her degree at age 65, but her life 
>> history gives her an advantage over the young ones out there.
>> 
>> There are multiple ways to do the work you wish, as a psychotherapist 
>> with a 2-year master's degree, as a case manager with no college 
>> degree, or something in the middle.
>> 
>> Activity directors at skilled nursing homes, assisted living 
>> facilities, and in adult day care all need committed folks.  Larger 
>> psychiatric hospitals often have gerontology units and need mental health
> techs.
>> 
>> Most colleges have "Women's Centers" that offer assistance in 
>> figuaring out a good career focus.
>> 
>> Be what you wish to be and do good work.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> JD
>> -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Irving via humanser
>> Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2015 6:55 PM
>> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Lisa Irving
>> Subject: [humanser] best practices
>> 
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I After a long absence from the workforce I am making efforts to 
>> reinvent myself and return to my original vocational calling; serving
> older adults.
>> Eventually, I would like to begin working as a Recovery and Wellness 
>> Educator for older adults living with mental illness/mental health 
>> challenges.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Although I have two undergraduate degrees and a couple of certificates 
>> I consider myself a para professional. Due in part to my college 
>> degrees being almost 30 years old. My certificate in gerontology is 
>> about twenty years old. I have mixed feelings about pursuing higher 
>> education. On the other hand, I have toyed with the idea of perhaps 
>> earning a graduate degree in gerontology. Is anyone familiar with 
>> National University's online Gerontology M. S. degree program? I've 
>> also toyed around with the notion of getting different B. S. degree; 
>> perhaps a degree in Human Services as a case worker. Meanwhile, I've 
>> got bills to pay and need to work. I welcome hearing from you.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Warmly,
>> 
>> Lisa Irving
>> 
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>> 
>> JD Townsend LCSW
>> Helping the light dependent to see.
>> Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System
>> 
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