Blog # 8: What I've learned so far

1.  I’ve learned how to start communicating with the patients. It seems easy, but my first time meeting the patients, they were shy or scared to talk to me. I was like that to them on the first day too. But after a couple of meetings, the patients started to open up. They started talking to me. I first talked about simple things like when we played BINGO. I was helping Felicia (patient), guiding her in case she missed or forgot to mark her card. We first talk about how she was close to winning BINGO. Few minutes later, she started talking about how she was eager to win so she can get more snacks and maybe get a soda. Then after three meetings, she told me about her family and how she ended up in the facility. I also learned that for the patients/seniors to open up to you, you should also open up yourself to them. Talk like they were your friends. They like it that way so its not awkward for them to tell there feelings. 

2. I was going to take some pictures of me and my patients, working on some crossword and BINGO but I signed a waiver (with my application form) saying that I can’t take photographs with the patients since it’s against privacy policy. Instead of posting that, I decided to post the picture of me putting up the Halloween decorations all around the room. Getting the room ready for our planned Halloween party this Friday night.

 

  

 ( me putting up  Halloween tree design x']] )

3. I have a lot of sources that tells that communication is important, but I put the ones that gave more specifics especially to communicating.

 

• http://www.mymajors.com/careers-and-jobs/Activity-Coordinator  (skills part)
• http://www.iseek.org/careers/careerDetail?id=4&oc=100177&title=   (skills part)
• http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2006/0900/p73.html
• Gabriel Olea, my 1^st interview
• Rosa Rodriguez, my 2^nd interview

Blog # 7: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1. I plan to take a college general Psychology class at Cal Poly this winter. If the class happened to be full and not accept me, I plan to do my independent component in my Service learning.

2. Most of the class in Cal Poly last for 2 hrs and meets two times a week. They also have 2 mid terms and final which last for 2-3 hrs depending on how much the teacher gives. The readings and homework would probably take 5-8 hrs in total. It would give me about 31-37 hrs of work. If I didn't get into  college class, I'm planning to  add 30-40 hrs on my working hours in the service learning which is which gives me about 80-90 hrs of work. I will try and explore other jobs at the elderly facility as I work there.

3. If I got the college class which is psychology, it can help me explain what the behavioral process of human being. It relates to my EQ because if I know how to deal with the behaviors of the patients then it would for me to approach it with the right skills. If I add component work (about 30-40 hrs), to the hours that I'll be working at elderly facility (50 hrs of service learning), then its more likely for me to understand and adopt the approach that the staffs use on elderly patients. I can also experiment and apply my own skills and see if it works or not.

Blog # 6: Defining the Essential Question

1.  EQ:
      *What are the most important skills needed in becoming an activity
        coordinator at an elderly facility?
2.  Defining words in EQ:
     *activity coordinator- the one that works in activities at an elderly
       facility.
     *skills-ability needed for everyday work.
3. Possible answers to EQ:
     * Good communication is needed to understand the elderly patients.
     * Managing Time and Things helps you get the work done faster
        and simpler.
     *Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
     *Patience also helps you deal with the elderly patients.
4. Sources:
     *My first interview with Gabriel Olea, activity coordinator.
     *Research  #14a " Recreation workers organize and lead
       leisure activities "
     *Research  #16 "Career guide for recreation workers"

Blog # 5: Second Interview Questions

My Second Interview Questions:

1. What important skills do you think activity coordinators need to have?
2. Why do facilities have activities?
3. How do you conduct a successful group activity? And why are group activities important?
4. Can you give me some example of group activities?
5. How to deal with the patients/elderly (especially when they throw tantrums)?
6. Can you tell me some of your experiences as activity coordinator?