Monthly Meetings

Presenter: Mary Anne Weeks, MPH, SSC

Mary Anne Weeks is a Social Service Consultant who has helped to guide many social service designees and social workers through the job responsibilities and regulations pertaining to Quality of Life Issues in Long Term Care Settings. Some other important areas that she trains in are admissions assessments and discharges, trauma based care and psychotropic medications.
She consults in many counties of Northern California and Southern California.

Mary Anne worked for many years as a social service coordinator in Sonoma County. During that time, she facilitated a support group for individuals and families living with dementia specific issues. She is the co-author of Long Term Care, 7th edition-soon to be 8th edition.

She is an exceptional educator and we are so grateful that she is sharing her expertise with MAP.

This presentation will more clearly define social well-being. Along with this, we will take another look at trauma -based care along with the assessment process and more. This is your opportunity to bring your questions to the expert! We encourage all activity professionals to invite their social service coordinators too!

*The fragrance industry is a 3.5 billion dollar industry, with the aromatherapy industry not far behind.
*Fabric and clothing advertisements highlight the texture and feel of their products.
*Music conjures a plethora of feelings and memories.
*The travel industry draws consumers in with 'sites and sights.'
*Diners rave about their favorite restaurants.
*Pollinating creatures are led to flora by sight, color, fragrance.
*All living creatures experience pain and discomfort.

What do all these things mean and have in common? Why is the sensory experience so important?

We will discuss the applications of the sensory experience and how it applies to all living things, and its important adaptations for our older adult citizens. Tanya Mendoza is passionate about increasing the quality of life of older adults in our community . Most recently, Tanya was LITA's Director of Volunteers programs. As an Activity Director, she designed and implemented new activity programs exclusively for 26 residents in an Assisted Living unit. As a Memory Care Coordinator, she launched all operations on a brand new 13-resident unit, directing, coordinating, and supervising all resident programs and staff related to overall resident care and quality of life engagement.

February MAP Sweethearts (full-time, part-time, entertainers, consultants), we need you to show up, even if briefly, at the Feb 15, 2023 MAP Zoom Meeting to connect with and support each other through networking and sharing resources.

You will have an opportunity to introduce yourself briefly (about 30 to 60 seconds to spark interest, be interesting and memorable (the length of an average elevator ride, hence the name, “elevator pitch”).

Betsy Best-Martini, co-author of the Long Term Care manual for Activity Coordinators, will lead our meeting. Betsy informed me that the publisher asked her to create an 8th edition of the manual! Congratulations on the success of this manual!

Since MAP’s February 15 Zoom Meeting is the day after Valentines Day (and we're still recovering from the recent holiday sweets, let’s each come up with a Healthy Valentine recipe to share. Please email your recipe to sgelardin@gmail.com by Feb 12, so I can create a slide show for the meeting.

Expanding upon Betsy Best-Martini's discussion of best programming practices last month, we shall share "Whole Person"/"Whole World" programming strategies based on role models in films. Film role models inspire follow-up activity programming related to physical, emotional, creative, cultural, cognitive, social and spiritual well-being. Since most of us are descended from immigrants, I chose to feature lead characters with diverse backgrounds. My own extended family is composed of individuals from many backgrounds, which is why I am a lifelong educator/student. My education and work experience includes teaching elementary school through graduate school and adult ed; long-term care engagement, education, and administration: writing, editing, and publishing.

Activity Professionals are always looking for a perfect activity that will bring joy and interaction to clients of varied needs. This session is created as a stepping stone to finding what works. We always start with a good initial assessment, then we look at types and levels of programming. About: Betsy Best-Martini is a recreational therapist who has been working with elderly clients since 1978! She has trained over 800 activity professionals, and is the author of Long Term Care, 7th edition and Exercise for Frail Elders.
She currently teaches 4 classes weekly of Strength Training and Balance at College of Marin and Dominican University. Betsy also provides consultation to long term care settings along with working 1-1 with older adult clients.

Emeritus Students College of Marin (ESCOM) is a pioneer in providing engaging programs for seniors in Marin. For almost 50 years, ESCOM has provided a large variety of clubs, interesting talks, social and cultural events for our seniors, both online and in person. These programs are available to seniors who live independently and to those who live in long-term care and skilled nursing communities with online access to the Internet.

We bring people together through shared common interests and backgrounds, providing a rich selection of educational and fun endeavors to enrich client's and resident's lives. These are the opportunities to share their passion and knowledge with others. Join us to find out what we offer for you and your clients. Gary Gonser BIO:

Gary is currently ESCOM President, and has worked with ESCOM on the Council and Program Committee. He has an MA in Psychology with a background of theatre production and project management. Having worked actively with Rotary for over 15 years, Gary is committed to serving our community to provide meaningful resources and programs for our seniors.

Leonard Weingarten BIO:

Leonard is ESCOM's Vice President and has a rich background in developing, marketing and managing successful business, civic and educational partnerships and programs. His accomplishments include recruiting over 1,000 new members to the San Rafael Chamber, managing projects for two Summer Olympic Games and spearheading a youth entrepreneurial program that exceeded its goal by 700%.

Do you honor your Rosies? Join us for this presentation about how the Rosie the Riveter Trust honors and strives to ensure the legacy of the people who worked on the WWII home front is remembered. Discover how the Trust encourages youth to emulate the values of working towards a common goal through its programs with Rosie the Riveter/WWII H.ome Front National Park. Presenters Bios: Sarah "Jo" James - Development Associate Manager Jo holds two bachelor's degrees from University of California Santa Cruz in Business Management and Film & Digital Media.

Lisa Foote - Marketing and Public Relations Manager
After serving as a volunteer for many years, Lisa furthers the Trust's goals of preserving home front history, and supporting and expanding the park’s educational programs. Lisa holds a master’s degree in integrated arts from San Francisco Art Institute, and a bachelor’s degree from Brooks Institute.

Participants will learn numerous tools and resources to facilitate a faith-based group through the arts (art, music, science, nature, drama, literature, poetry, humanities). Participants will explore practices and ideologies that relate to their interests, knowledge, and sense of community.

About: Gina Pandiani, MA, AP-BC, has been an Activity Professional for Independent and Assisted Living, SNF and Health and Memory Care. She currently serves at Aldersly Retirement Community as the Health Care Services Activity Director. She has a BA in Drama from Dominican University and an MA in Theology from USF. She received her Activity Professional Certification from APNCC Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center (formerly NAAPCC). She served on the Board of Directors as Education Director for NCCAC and as Education Director and President for Marin Activity Professionals.

This presentation will introduce an ancient perspective on how to find balance according to the nature of your individual constitution. You will learn simple lifestyle techniques that can help you maintain this balance. Maintaining balance amidst the highs and lows of the Pandemic and its after effects is a continual practice. All of us – community members, staff, management, family members, volunteers and consultants – can benefit by expanding our understanding of how to balance our lives in these challenging times. Physical exercise, diet, and other "whole" body dimensions all come into play as we learn about how to maintain balance in our lives. About: Alicia and Alison are holistic practitioners and co-creators of Best Years Group, LLC. Their mission is to provide innovative wellness programs and seminars for seniors and the staff that serve them.

There has been a monumental build up to the day that long term care settings invite someone in the Boomer age group and cohort. What do we need to change? How can we market to this group? What kind of people are they and what will they expect? Baby boomers are moving into LTC settings for short term rehab and also long term stays. But most staff do not recognize them! Why? Because this term is almost like the term “senior”. Too vague for the variety and individualism of this generation. They do not look different, but they are. Boomers are very unique in their values and characteristics.Boomers need to be better understood before assuming what they would like to see in your programs. Always look for the person, not the age, stage, or ability. About: Elizabeth (Betsy) Best-Martini is a Recreational Therapist specializing in work with Older Adults and Frail Elders. She has a Master of Science in Recreational Therapy/ Administration. Her business, “Best Training & Consultation” and “Fit For Life” provide consultation, training and instruction both in California and across the country. She is an instructor of the Activity Coordinator State Approved Training Course and has trained over 700 activity professionals!

Sheila Malkind, Founder and ED of Legacy Film Festival on Aging, will introduce upcoming the November 2022 Festival, preview upcoming films and give a glimpse of past films. About: After 60 years in the field of aging, first in Chicago, and now in San Francisco, Sheila Malkind, 82, is passionate about presenting films on aging to the SF community and the world. She sees her work as her passion, based on her experiences working and socializing with older people. Sheila hopes to transform the images of adults that are currently represented in the media into more realistic and dynamic images of people with experience who wish to learn new concepts, and who have much to contribute to society, through work, volunteerism, socializing, and just simple enjoyment in life. In 2020 she suffered a stroke, affecting her mobility, and as a result has an even greater interest in showing films on disability issues.

Two in three individuals 65 and older have gum disease. Additional physical challenges related to inadequate dental hygiene include tooth decay, tooth loss, heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and oral cancers. Dr. Lew Specker, a Marin-based retired dentist of over 50 years, will discuss “Oral hygiene for the elderly, medically, and physically compromised” – causes of the issues, and their roots. He will focus on the most frequent dental issues. Other topics will be addressed as questions are presented.
About: Dr. Specker has a specialty in dental education, research, endodontics, enzyme therapy, fixed prosthodontics, and TMJ/Occulsion. He has published research and lectured at dental schools in the United States and abroad