New software available to track residents’ participation in activities
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
A long-term care home employee has spent the past three years working with a software developer to build a program for tracking resident participation in activities.

Called Activity Tracker, the software was launched in October at Delhi Long-term Care Centre in Delhi. Kim Robinson, activity co-ordinator, was behind the project.

“It’s something I did on my own because I felt there was a need for it,” says Kim.

“For 17 years it has always been paper and tick sheets. I just thought it was the way of the future.”

“I designed the program in order to make attendance tracking easier and quicker for activity staff.”

The software allows activity staff to track which residents are attending activities and whether or not they are active participants. It’s useful information for staff when preparing quarterly summaries, says Kim. As well, “If a resident isn’t participating maybe we can change their schedule or adjust their routine.” It’s also helpful information to have on hand to share with family members, she says.

The software also can compile demographic information like ethnic origin or religion and birthday lists.

According to the website for the software, www.activitytracker.ca, the program is custom-designed to meet the needs of each individual activity department. Reports can be produced showing attendance records and summaries from a chosen time frame. Graphs can be produced to show in which types of programs each individual resident is participating and a report shows if residents are meeting their individual goals.