Burn out

For those LTC professionals who have been in this position for a while, I am wondering what you do to reinvigorate your love of your job. I love the seniors that I work with, but it is all the rest of the junk that gets me down and makes me want out. Our facility has gone through lots of changes in the past few years, and some have been for the better, but others definitely have not. We have certianly lost the family feeling that once made this a nice place to work. What do you do to get your enthusiasm back?

Technology

How do we integrate or at least introduce some newer technology into our programming and even charting? Do you have an electronic medical record where you work? Do you keep track of your attendance on a computer program? If so what do you use? Do you use an iPad or other device with your older or younger patients or residents? How does it work for you?

Salary

I recently was reading facebook posts related to various salaries for activity staff. I find it pretty sad that many in this profession are only recieving $10.00/hr or less. That is not enough to show that facilities are valuing what we do. If Activity Departments are required by DOH to be in nursing home, and we provide the quality of life for our seniors we work with, as directors, we need to be paid more. I know various states have different costs of living and some are lower and therefore pay in those areas are lower, but $10/hr still seems to be an insult to the profession.