Thursday October 20th - Activity Professionals of Ontario

www.activitypro.ca 

Activity Professionals of Ontario 

A Professional Organization for Leisure / Recreation Providers 

Working with Seniors in Healthcare Settings 

October 19 – 21, 2011 

Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre 

Convention Highlights: 

• Enhanced 

marketability for your 

facility 

• All inclusive event 

• Dynamic Keynote 

Speaker 

• Quality Education 

Sessions 

• Amazing Endnote 

Speaker 

• Accountable AGM

Important Information 

Please read carefully -‐ 

Confirmations letters will not be emailed out for registrations received after Friday October 7, 

2011. Your receipt of payment will be within your registration package at 

convention. Cancellations at any time will be subject to a $50 processing fee. 

* No refunds will be granted after October 9, 2011. Substitutions will be allowed subject to full 

membership fees. 

Social Agenda Information 

Dress Code—Business Casual 

Banquet—Semi Formal 

Extra Banquet ticket $75.00 (Banquet is not included in day registration fee). Extra Banquet 

tickets must be ordered by October 9, 2011. 

If you have any dietary restrictions, allergies etc. it is your responsibility to notify the 

Convention chair by October 9, 2011 at convention@activitypro.ca 

Refer further back in this book for hotel and registration information. 

Refer to the APO website for links for driving instructions. www.activitypro.ca 

Consider this……. 

Becoming an APO member entitles you to pay at membership rates for the convention and you 

get the benefit of the APO newsletter, members only section on the website, membership rates 

for workshops and unlimited networking opportunities. Download your membership form 

from the APO website and send it along with your registration. Joining at Convention time 

means that you will still have to renew your membership in the New Year. 

Have Convention Questions? 

Contact Wayne Connelly at convention@activitypro.ca 

APO Head Office: 

Phone 1-888-594-0140 or Fax 1-888-494-7038

• Throw Pillows 

• Sofa Bed 

• Closed Caption Programming 

• Suites Available 

• Grab Bars In Bathroom 

• Desk 

• Slippers 

• Free Local Newspaper on Weekdays 

• Smoke Detectors in Room 

• Room with Sitting Area 

• Air-Conditioned Room 

• Bathrobes & Slippers 

• Accessible Shower and/or Bath 

• The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed 

• Outlet Adaptors 

• Hairdryer 

• Turndown Service 

• Individual Climate Control 

• 350 Thread Count Sheets 

• Wake-up Service 

• Voicemail 

• In-Room Movies 

• Duvet Cover 

After a day of friends, family, or business, there is 

one more thing to savor at this Sheraton: the 

welcome of our guest rooms, which are completely 

smoke-free. 

• Valet Service 

• Cribs (Upon Request) 

• 100% Non-Smoking Guestrooms 

• Room Service 

• Refrigerator Available (Charge) 

• Radio/Alarm Clock 

• Iron/Ironing Board 

• Make-up/Shaving Mirror 

• Wireless High Speed Internet Access in Club Lounge 

• Ergonomic Desk Chair 

• Cable Channels 

• Connecting Rooms Available 

• In-Room Video Games 

• Disability Accessible Room 

• Rollaway Beds 

• Umbrellas 

• Coffee and Tea Maker 

• Dual-Line Cordless Telephone 

• Sprinklers In Room 

• Club Level Room Available 

• High Speed Internet Access in All Guest Rooms (CAD 

12.95 per day) 

Some of the amenities above may not be available in all rooms. Fees on certain 

amenities/services may apply. 

Hotel and Booking Information: book online through the APO website 

– it’s easier! 

You are responsible for booking your own accommodations 

There is a block of rooms reserved for Activity Professionals of Ontario on a first come first 

served basis. Reservation Code: You must state that you are with Activity 

Professionals of Ontario to receive this special rate. 

Room Rates (before taxes): $155 single or double occupancy 

Contact: Toronto Sheraton Airport Hotel and Conference Centre 

801 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 1J5 

Reservations: 1-800-325-3535

Wednesday Oct. 19th 2:00 pm Early Bird Registration 

Thursday Oct. 20th 7:30 am Regional Rep Breakfast 

8:00 am Registration / Exhibits Open 

Welcome! 8:45 am Keynote Speaker 

10:00 am Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall 

10:30 – 12:00 noon Breakout Sessions 

12:30 pm Lunch 

12:30 – 5:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open 

For Members 1:30 pm Annual General Meeting 

Bring your ticket 

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open 

3:00 – 5:00 pm Early Bird Session 

5:00 – 6:00 pm 

3:00 – 5:00 pm Breakout Sessions 

6:00 pm 

7:00 pm 

Dedicated Check in Time for 

Delegates 

Be our Guest 8:30 pm Hospitality Suite 

Cocktails 

Banquet and Awards 

Friday, Oct. 21st 7:45 am Breakfast 

8:30 am Registration 

9:00 – 11:00 am Breakout Sessions 

Checkout 11:00 am Checkout 

11:45 am Lunch 

12:45 pm Endnote Session 

Drive Carefully! 2:00 pm Farewell 

Full Registration Packages Include 

Convention Program Materials, All Sessions, Meals except Wednesday, Banquet, 

Dynamic Breakout Sessions, Certificate, Inspiring Endnote Session, Full Exhibit Hall

Wednesday October 19th 

2:00 Early Bird Registrations 

3:00 Early Bird Session 

3:00 The Exhibit Hall Opens until 8pm 

Supper is on your own – visit the local restaurants! 

8:00 pm – Hospitality Suite – Olio Pool Table Lou Entertainment, Cash Bar, Dress – 

Casual. 

Join the Host Committee, delegates & friends for the opportunity to network & relax. 

Early Bird Session –Speaker: Dr. Eleanor Feldman Barbera 

Working with younger residents: understanding our interactions and their 

recreation needs 

Delegates will be delighted with the surprising insights and up to date 

information gleaned from this notable speaker. “Dr. El” has her doctorate in 

psychology and has worked in various capacities within the mental health field 

before finding her home in long term care. Dr. El created “My Better Nursing 

Home” an interactive blog about long-term health care from the perspective of a 

psychologist. Delegates attending this session will gain an understanding of their own 

emotional reactions to younger residents and how this affects their work. Delegates will 

be able to distinguish between different groups of younger residents and their differing 

recreation needs while learning tools for creating successful activities with this, often 

challenging population. 

*Wednesday supper is not provided. Check the registration desk for suggested restaurants. 

Thursday October 20th 

7:30 am Regional Rep Breakfast: Come and meet your Regional Rep and other delegates 

from your Region! 

8:00 am Registration 

8:00 am Exhibit Hall opens for viewing and door prize pickup. 

8:45 am Keynote Speaker 

KEY NOTE: The Inner Game of Confidence- 

Amanda Bailey - Founder of CONFIDENT RESULTS 

The one thing about high achievers -- the one thing that has put them at the pinnacle of 

success above anything and everything else, is their inner game of confidence. 

Life takes Confidence. Feeling sure about yourself and your abilities is not only beneficial 

to feeling good but also has a profound impact on the personal, professional, and physical 

aspects of your life. Discover the power of confidence and develop winning habits to 

upgrade your inner game. Delegates will be inspired and learn to recognize behaviours 

that reduce confidence, understand the importance of taking positive risks, discover the 

importance of celebrating strengths and achievements while acquiring tools for success. 

Amanda is a “must see” and will inspire those in attendance!

10:30 am – 12 NOON 

S1 

Engage, Enrich, and 

Explore: The 

Benefits of Art and 

Yoga Therapy 

Workshops for 

seniors 

S2 

Falls, Balls & 

Sandbags 

Thursday October 20th - Mid morning Sessions 

Speakers: Megan A. Kirk and Jennifer E. Moring 

Delegates will have the opportunity to experience two aspects of 

creative expression to help enhance their programming quality. 

This presentation will provide Activity Professionals with the 

preliminary findings of Art in Motion Workshops and discuss 

evidence-based strategies on how to enhance the physical and 

psychological health of older adults living in retirement through 

alternative therapy processes. 

Megan Kirk is an expert in exercise and motivational adherence. 

She holds a B.A. with distinction in Recreation and has her 

Masters in exercise science, physical and health education. 

Jen Morin is an artist with expertise in mixed media, drawing and 

digital manipulation. She has her BFA with honors and is a 

graduate of Humber Colleges Arts Administration course. 

Speaker: Paul Hyman, Brain Fitness International 

If you attended convention last year and had the opportunity to 

participate in Paul’s session on Brain Fitness you will want to 

check out Paul’s latest workshop: 

Paul is president of Brain Fitness International and is Canada’s 

foremost integrative functional specialist combining mind / body 

approaches and brain research. Participants will see how 

synergistic integration of Brain Fitness modalities has created 

this special Falls Prevention Program enabling them to be an 

integral member of the care team working collaboratively with 

nursing and rehab. Statistics have shown that the average falls 

at one residence dropped from 7% to 4% in one month after 

applying concepts learned from this session. The program 

utilizes sandbags, racquetballs, Bal-A-Vis-X and variations of 

walking gaits. These meaningful and purposeful activities 

improve full body coordination, balance and focused attention. 

Activity Professionals of Ontario

S3 

Balancing the Role of 

Activity Professional 

and Coordinator of 

Volunteer Services 

S4 

Bullying In the 

Workplace 


Speaker: Colin Thacker – Thacker Volunteer 

Management Services 

Participants will gain insights and ideas on how to 

effectively balance the skills of managing an activity 

department while coordinating a volunteer program. This 

session will focus on working in partnership with others 

when it comes to coordinating a volunteer program. 

Techniques will be presented to participants allowing a 

professional, in a dual role, to share the responsibility of a 

volunteer program. 

This session will examine the new breed of volunteer and 

their desire to be empowered while giving participants the 

knowledge and techniques necessary to guide staff and 

volunteers in effective partnerships. Participants will learn 

how to connect with Ontario resources specializing in 

engaging and maintaining volunteerism in your facility. 

Speaker: Denise Koster of Koster Consulting and 

Associates 

Violence in the workplace is becoming more prevalent and 

as a result of the implementation of Bill 168, organizations 

are now mandated to deal with the issue using a more 

structured and methodical way. Program Managers and 

recreation staff are required to be aware of and adhere to 

facility policy and the regulations introduced. Participants in 

this session will understand and recognize what workplace 

bullying is, how it can occur, with whom it can occur and the 

forms of workplace bullying. In order for a work environment 

to be truly void of abuse or violence, staff must be 

reassured that they will be treated with the same dignity and 

respect that they are expected to give to the individuals that 

they serve. 

This session will focus on the cost of bullying in the 

workplace, the differences between harassment, 

discrimination and bullying, the profile of a bully and target 

and methods to create an abuse free living and working 

environment. 


S5 


10:30—12:00 Breakout Sessions cont’d 

The Resident 

Council and Java 

Music Club 

Partnership 

12:30 Lunch 

Speakers: Donna Fairley, Executive Director –Ontario 

Association of Resident Councils, 

Kristine Theurer, Founder – The Java Music Club, 

Accredited Music Theapist 

The Java Music Club is a research-based program that creates 

an enhanced group environment giving residents living in care 

homes both an opportunity to provide mutual support and 

create a way to enhance the existing residents’ council 

effectiveness. Mutual support groups represent tremendous 

therapeutic potential in decreasing the loneliness and 

helplessness that is prevalent and in improving quality of life for 

residents. Utilizing Tom Kitwood’s Model of Personhood as the 

basis for developing "The Little Java Music Club", staff offered a 

weekly discussion group using themes chosen by participants 

with supportive materials, (e.g. related music and photographs) 

to create feelings of companionship, empowerment and respect 

among council members. Ontario’s new legislation mandates all 

long-term care homes must have a resident council to ensure 

that residents maintain optimum control over their daily lives. 

The partnership between the Java Music Club and your 

Resident Council ensures a wider resident voice at council 

meetings that will satisfy regulatory requirements. This 

presentation will demonstrate a program that will help you in 

your role as staff support to the Resident Council in your home. 

Unique and empowering are two words to describe this 

program. 

1:30 Annual General Meeting – Attend and enter for your chance to 

win a digital reader! Must be an APO member and in attendance 

at the meeting to win. 

1:30 – 3:00 Non members are encouraged to take advantage of the 

Exhibit Hall. It’s a great time to ask questions and make equipment 

purchases! 


S6 

Invisible Lives: 

Improving 

healthcare for senior 

lesbian, gay, 

bisexual and 

transgender 

persons. 

S7 

Talking Turkey 

about Recreation 

and Therapeutic 

Recreation 

Thursday October 20th Afternoon Sessions 

3:00 — 5:00 Breakout Sessions 

Speaker: Devan Nambiar, Rainbow Health Ontario the Bring and 

Recreation staff is an essential component of the social support 

network for residents living in care settings. This workshop will 

provide an overview of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 

(LGBT) history, language/terminology, the impact of 

criminalization and oppression. Participants will examine the 

health disparities affecting LGBT seniors and examine avenues of 

support. The interactive case studies will stimulate discussions on 

how to work with LGBT seniors, diffusing the fear, shame, and 

stigma experienced by LGBT seniors. This workshop is a 

combination of didactic material and interactive case scenarios 

including the use of inclusive language when working with LGBT 

seniors. 

Participants will be able to demonstrate increased clinical and 

cultural competence to LGBT seniors advance of the Conference, 

participants are asked to forward a short activity program description of a 

successful and/or unique activity program they wish to submit and share. 

Activity Speakers: submissions Judy O’Neill, can be as Jennifer short as 1Sarkis paragraph and orinvited up to a maximum guests of 

Do you have questions about Activation/Recreation services in 

Long Term Care? Are you confused about Therapeutic 

Recreation? Are you unsure about the new Government 

Regulations in regard to qualifications? Let’s talk turkey and 

clarify who the Activation/Recreation Professional is. 

This session will discuss current issues in the 

Activation/Recreation field. Participants will gain a broad 

understanding of issues related to our role, 

activation/recreation/therapeutic recreation practice, and 

professionalism. 

Participants in this session are asked to submit questions via 

email prior to September 30 th so they may be addressed 

during the session. Please send your submission to: 

pres-elect@activitypro.ca 



3:00 —5:00 Breakout Sessions 

S8 

Healthy Aging-a 

long term 

perspective 

S9 

Music Activity 

Training 

Speaker: Christopher Patterson, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FRCP (Glasg) 

Professor of Medicine in the division of Geriatric Medicine, 

McMaster University 

Activity Professionals of Ontario is delighted to have such a 

distinguished speaker as Dr. Patterson at our convention. Dr. 

Patterson is the former Chief of Geriatric Services for Hamilton Health 

Sciences, he served on the Canadian Task Force on Preventative 

Health Care, on three Canadian Consensus Conferences on Dementia 

and has authored or contributed to over 150 scientific publications. 

With increasing life expectancy, preventive health becomes more 

important than ever before and maintaining good health in old age 

involves lifestyle choices and evidence-informed preventive health 

care. 

In long Term Care, the emphasis changes to quality of life for the 

individuals that we care for but our evidence base is often lacking. 

Participants will be able to identify positive lifestyle choices and learn 

how to utilize evidence-based practices into your program offerings 

that will enhance quality of life and preventative health management. 

Speaker: Jim Arnold, Music Activity Training 

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to play a hand 

drum, lead drum circles, and facilitate musical games that promote 

exercise and social interaction. Participants will also learn a unique 

hand dancing musical activity and discover fun exercises that you and 

your group can do with hand bells. Learn new methods for integrating 

exercise and fun activities into your sing-along, how non-musicians can 

instantly play an instrument to add a melody to your drum circles and 

finally, how to select musical instruments that are suitable for your 

group initiatives. 

Participants in this session will gain the confidence and skills to lead a 

drum circle, learn a variety of unique and fun musical games that 

promote exercise and social interaction and discover the musical 

instruments that are recommended for long term care residents. 


S 10 

Getting Into the 

Theme of Things 

Thursday Evening 


Speaker: Nancy Ewald, Activity Connection 

www.activityconnection.com 

Using themes does not mean adding more activities – just 

adding more interest and fun to your existing activities. By 

wrapping your routine activities around a theme, you can add 

more interest without adding more work. In this session 

participants will learn to develop your own monthly theme by 

choosing a theme, then look at your regularly scheduled 

activities and select ones that naturally lend themselves to the 

theme. 

Participants are encouraged to think outside the box and 

consider more than holiday themes. Participants will learn how 

themes can benefit their programming in at least five ways and 

they will leave the session with at least ten interesting theme 

possibilities. 

You are cordially invited to the 


27th Anniversary Banquet and Awards Ceremony 

6pm Social Time 

7pm Banquet Meal is served 

8pm Entertainment 

Dress: Semi Formal 

Friday October 21st 

7:45 am Breakfast. Door prize winners will be posted outside the dining area. 

8:30 Registration 

9:00-11:00 am Breakout Sessions 

11:00 – 11:45 Dedicated Checkout Time for Delegates 


S11 

HERBAL TEAS FOR 

MIND, BODY AND 

SOUL 

This session has a 

cost of $16 for 

materials. 

S12 

Montessori Methods for 

Dementia TM: Rules 

for engagement 

S13 

Assisting Families for 

Successful Visiting 

Speaker: Mitchell Hewson – Homewood Health Centre 

Herbal Teas for Mind, body and soul—“Making you own 

herbal teas and recipes.” In this interactive workshop, 

participants will learn how to grow, harvest and maintain a 

tea garden. This activity will be of interest to those who 

wish to use sensory stimulation for mind, body and soul… 

Participants will be able to adapt this activity for all the 

seasons, even if they do not have a garden. Everyone will 

come away with information sheets on the culture and care 

of herbs; their own special Chinese crystal teapot and 

porcelain cup, plus all of the recipes to get them started. 

Speaker: Gail Elliot, Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging 

McMaster University and Judy O’Neill, Cert. Montessori 

Boredom is one of the main reasons for wandering, exitseeking, 

agitation, aggression and other "responsive 

behaviours." When we support the person and the 

environment, and provide meaning and purpose in each and 

every day, these responsive behaviours disappear. This 

session will provide practical Montessori based strategies 

that have proven to be successful in dementia care. In 

other words, these principles provide the "rules for 

engagement". 

If you have taken the Montessori Methods for Dementia 

workshop or if you are new to the concept this session will 

enhance your knowledge and offer practical solutions to 

create a prepared environment. 

Speaker: JoAnn Stephan 

This session will focus on recognizing the stages of 

emotions that families go through when placing their loved 

one in LTC. Often the staff is busy getting to know the 

resident and providing care and do not address the other 

customer we serve - the family members. Through an 

innovative hands on orientation the Recreation team are 

able to assist the family in managing these emotions. The 

Recreation team can then work with the family member to 

capture highlights of the resident and their current lifestyle. 

Participants will learn to maximize techniques and tips that 

will be shared in an interactive setting to establish the 

procedures, guidelines and evaluation of this valuable 

service.

S14 

Game on – Red Rover 

let the Best Come 

over – Building Your 

Team for Success 

S 15 

Bring and Brag – 

The Unique and 

Unusual 

Friday October 21st cont’d 

Speaker: Nancy Revie 

Delegates attending this workshop will participate in an interactive 

workshop on how to build your team; working together for success 

and discovering your and other’s personality strengths in the 

workplace. 

Prepare to laugh, be inspired, motivated, and more importantly – 

equipped with practical tools to help you succeed in creating a 

strong, successful work environment. Learn to build a successful 

team while complimenting personality strengths using the 

resources at hand – staff, co-‐workers, volunteers and students. 

Speaker: Lorne Taillon 

Bring and Brag is an Activity Professionals of Ontario Conference 

staple that has been a part of APO Conferences for many years. 

This session gives participants an opportunity to share with each 

other, their most successful, unique and creative activity programs 

and ideas, in an open and informal environment. An integral part 

of this session involves discussion directly generated from the 

many successful activity ideas that will be shared. Participation in 

this session will provide participants an opportunity to obtain new 

activity ideas, hear of unique program twists and activity 

adaptations for existing in house programming and possibly even 

create a few new programs ideas along the way. As always, all 

Bring and Brag participants will receive a hardcopy booklet 

containing all the programming submissions from this session. 

Participants To prepare are the required Bring to and forward Brag a Handout program plan Booklet outline in of advance a unique or of the 

successful activity to share and discuss with the group. Email to Lorne Taillon at 

Conference, participants are asked to forward a short activity 

ltaillon17@sympatico.ca 

program description of a successful and/or unique activity program 

11:00 - 11:45 am Checkout 

they 

time 

wish to submit and share. Activity submissions can be as short 

11:45 Lunch 

12:45 Endnote Speaker – a must see event! 

Endnote- Understanding Inspirational Leadership – 

Amanda Bailey - Founder of CONFIDENT RESULTS 

The ultimate definition of a true leader is simple: A true leader is someone who inspires others to 

become more of who they truly are. A true leader brings out the greatness that lies within each 

human being, and enables individuals to put that greatness into practice consistently. Leaders 

inspire themselves and others to do, be, give, and become more than they ever thought possible, 

thereby creating more leaders in the process. 

• Explore how leaders foster innovation 

• Develop and maintain positive relationships 

• Create a positive atmosphere where all team members know they are appreciated 

Apply a take-charge attitude with confidence and enthusiasm 

Farewell: The APO Executive and Board would like to bid you farewell and a safe journey home. Thank you for 

making our 27th Annual Convention special. We couldn't do it without you!

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A Professional Organization 

for Leisure Recreation Providers In Healthcare Settings 

A.P.O. Head Office 

7- 841 Sydney Street Phone: 1-888-594-0140 

Suite 156, Fax: 1-888-494-7038 

Cornwall, Ontario K6H 7L2 E-Mail: APO-office@activitypro.ca 

Website www.activitypro.ca

Thursday October 20th - Activity Professionals of Ontario

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