SR-302-001 (21)
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RP:DTA:VR
January 28, 1986
Santa Monica, California
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TO:
Mayor and City council
FROM:
ci ty Staff
SUBJECT:
Recommendation to Allocate $3,500 for the
Development of Recreation Programming for
Nursing Home Residents
INTRODUCTION
This report provides Council with information on the development
of recreation programming for senior residents of nursing homes
and recommends that Council transfer $3,500 from the
non-departmental contingency fund to initiating such a program in
this fiscal year. At its November 20 meeting the Commission on
Older Americans passed a motion requesting Council to fund this
program at a level not to exceed $3,500 as a mid-year budget
enhancement for the Recreation and Parks Department for 1985-86.
BACKGROUND
In 1984 Councilmember Jennings requested the Social Services
Commission and the Commission on Older Americans to study ways in
which the city could provide services to residents of Santa
Monica's nursing homes. After some discussion, the commission on
Older Americans requested the staff of the Recreation and Parks
Department to survey all Santa Monica nursing homes to determine
whether the city could assist in providing recreational services
to residents.
Title XXII of the California Administrative Code requires health
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facilities including nursing homes to provide activity programs
that will "make life more meaningful, to stimulate and support
physical and mental capabilities to the fullest extent, to enable
the patient to maintain the highest attainable social, physical
and emotional functioning but not necessarily to correct or
remedy a disability.1I
During November, 1985, 24 Santa Monica nursing homes were
surveyed. The survey revealed that there are 2,472 seniors in
Santa Monica convalescent, residential care facilities, and
nursing homes. All respondents were aware of the Title XXII
requirements. Twenty-two homes surveyed indicated a need for
help in planning and producing recreational events for residents.
Upon completion of the survey, recreation staff indicated that a
recreation program aimed at residents of nursing homes could
provide assistance in:
a. planning special events
b. recruiting community volunteers to assist residents
who are confined to their rooms, and/or confined to the
facility, and/or those who can leave the facility for
activities
c. bringing resources into the facilities
d. transportation to events (some facilities have no
transportation available)
e. training of nursing home staff in recreation
programming.
The Commission on Older Americans at its November meeting, after
hearing the result of the nursing home survey and considering a
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program designed to provide recreation services to residents of
such facilities, unanimously passed the following motion:
The Commission on Older Americans recommends to the
City Council that funding be provided to the Parks and
Recreation Department for a part time person whose sole
duties will be to develop and take the appropriate
action necessary to provide recreation for senior
citizens in nursing homes and/or convalescent facilities
for a six-month period not to exceed $3500 for the
period from January 1 through June 30, 1986. The
commission further states that it considers this an
urgent matter and would like the Department of
Recreation and Parks to give adequate and immediate
attention to this matter.
At its January 16 meeting the Recreation and Parks Commission
unanimously endorsed the recommendation to develop recreation
programming for the nursing home population at this time.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds will be transferred from account #01-700-274-000-785 to the
Recreation and Parks budget account #01-400-539-000-166 to
facilitate the hiring of one part-time staff person to develop
such a program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council:
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1. Endorse the concept of developing recreational
programming for residents of nursing homes utilizing
the services of community volunteers.
2. Transfer $3,500 from account #01-700-274-000-785
to account #01-400-539-000-166 and approve the
expenditure of up to $3,500 for the hiring of a part-
time staff person in the Recreation and Parks Depart-
ment to develop such a program.
Prepared by: Donald T. Arnett
Director, Recreation and Parks
Vivian Rothstein
Assistant to the Director
Recreation and Parks
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