DH Special Services
Education for the Activity Professional |
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July 2015
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Honoring the Spirit Within |
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Joyce Simard, MSW, has created the Namaste Care Program which is designed for people with dementia. The program is specific to those in the later stages of the diagnosis, with an emphasis on providing comfort and dignity in later life. The program offers a soothing environment, relaxing sensory and individual attention to those who have minimal verbal and cognitive skills.
 This month - the independent study program - End of Life Dementia Care Using the Namaste Approach is available at 10% discount. This program is NCCAP Pre-approved for 8.5 hours of continuing education. Once the program is shipped to you (including the book), you take the pre-test, read the book and complete the post-test. After submitting the testing materials, a certificate is sent to you and you get to keep the book for your professional library. ~You can read more about the topic in this article. ~Visit Ms. Simard's web site Namaste Care which has more information as well as links to interesting articles on the program. ~Do a search of Namaste Care Program on You Tube and you can see a number of educational videos as well as facilities who have implemented the program. ~Just want the book? You can purchase it here. Free shipping! |
 Facebook continues to be the on line meeting place for activity professionals and it is wonderful to be able to reach out to others for ideas and resources. For example, one of my students recently asked about ideas for celebrating a 100 year birthday (beyond the normal cake and balloons). Within minutes, several activity professionals shared some creative and interesting ideas. The discussion went on for more than a day. Additionally, I post positive stories of people living large - regardless of their chronological age. I base my postings on my favorite motto - "age is just a number"! |
 Many state associations are planning their conventions and conferences for the Fall Season. I am excited to say - I will be heading to the Pennsylvania, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota and possibily New Hampshire's activity conferences this Fall. If you are attending any of those state conferences, be sure to find me and say hello!
Feel free to send me seminar and conference information to post on the Workshop and Conference page. All conference/workshop info is shared at no charge. In the meantime - if you are still in need of continuing education hours - visit the independent study continuing education page. We have over 29 programs on a variety of topics to meet the educational needs of the activity/recreation professional working in the long term care continuum. Most of the programs are based on books which you get to keep after completing the program. The programs are portable so you can complete the program while on vacation or relaxing by the pool. |
I have been proudly NCCAP certified since 1987. The NCCAP has grown with our profession, introducing clear and acheivable standards which have strengthened our role in the long term care continuum. I have proudly served on the NCCAP board for the past six years, with the past two years as President. My term is ending soon but not my support for this certification.
If you are not NCCAP certified - check out the requirements. You may have some of the qualifications and it is only a matter of gathering some documents and sending them in.
 √ Visit the NCCAP site and download the NCCAP application √ You may already have some of the requirements needed to apply today.
√ For personal assistance in d efining your path toward certification, e-mail today.
The Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) is a required component to become nationally certified as a director. The MEPAP Instructors for each state are listed on the NCCAP site.
MEPAP is also available through independent study which can be started at any time and completed at your own pace. Feel free to e-mail me to discuss whether independent study is right for you.
If you are interested in certification through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals or the MEPAP Courses but are unsure as to how to proceed - feel free to contact me. I will be happy to assist you in defining your path to professional growth and certification. |
I find and post many articles and items of interest to activity professionals on a few sites. You are invited to join, like, follow or contact me through any of the following sites:
Facebook My facebook page is very active with several postings daily, not only from myself by by the group members. Favorite postings are "age is just a number" and "smile of the day".
Linked In My group here mainly focuses on articles of interest related to aging, dementia care, industry news and similar topics.
Google + I post articles of interest that I find here as well but also updates about my classes. There is a place to review the classes which is a nice feature.
Pinterest My Pinterest page continues to grow daily. If you are not on Pinterest - you should check it out. It is a free resource and a quick avenue to find countless ideas and resources for programming.
Twitter - Tweet me a hello if you are on Twitter too.
Hope to "see you" on one page or another.
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