About Susan:
Susan Berg is a freelance writer, retired healthcare professional, retired Activity Director and current writer for several senior care e-magazines with more than 20 years of experience working with Senior Citizens and eight years experience writing for a number of publications. She is the author of a book for those with dementia and their caregivers. Susan has two blogs about activities for seniors and information vital to all wanting to know about dementia. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and North Shore Community College.
Senior Citizens
Susan is an expert on senior citizen issues. She is currently a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant(COTA). In this role, she has worked with senior citizens. Susan is an expert on adapting and modifying activities so that seniors can participate in them. She spent twenty years as an Activity Director in nursing homes. She devised, planned, coordinated, and facilitated stimulating activity programming. Also she designed a program for homebound senior citizens. Currently, Susan shares her knowledge about senior activities on one of her blogs.
Dementia
Susan is also an expert on dementia and related issues. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner(CPD). She has participated in numerous workshops, seminars and alike where she has gained much knowledge. Her work as an Activity Director and COTA has given her much knowledge and experience in relating to individuals with dementia. Susan is passionate about sharing her knowledge. She is hopeful that people will do what they can to prevent or at least slow down dementia in themselves or loved ones. Susan has shared many tips on how to prevent dementia or slow it down on her other blog.
Feel free to visit and comment at either of Susan’s blogs at
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
28 Activities
3507 Comment
11th Sep 2017
Activity Director
How to Run Group Exercise Sessions for the Elderly
11th Sep 2017
Activity Director
You have a lot of good ideas here that would work.
Tell the residents, you were given some suggestions as to what to do. Let them decide.
Allowing residents to have a say help them improve their quality of life.
Have you read this article https://www.goldencarers.com/creative-pursuits-that-improve-quality-of-life/5167/
Just as an aside. We had a Mass once every five months. Once a month, the other four months , we had a spiritual service with some members of the church.
These services were short so I used my suggestions after the Mass and services
Susan
4th Sep 2017
Activity Director
Things we used to do because the mass seemed to be very short, were to do the ABCs of what you are thankkful for, and or sing popular hymns such as: Jesus Lives You, In the Garden, The Old Rugged Cross Amazing Grace, This is the Day and Count Your Blessings.
Sometimes we would sing some hymns and when we got to Count Your Blessings, I would ask each participant what he id blessed with. If he could not think of anything, I would say something like You are blessed with a beautiful, family friends or a lovely smile.
I invited those who were good singers who knew most of the words up to the front to lead the group.
You can also read an uplifting story or discuss the meaning of a parable or psalm.
29th Aug 2017
Activity Director
http://www.iabeef.org/Media/IABeef/Docs/hamburgertrivia.pdf
What about talking about toppings you have to put on the burger
Here are some
Ketchup
Mustard
The classic: go with Dijon, whole grain, brown, or good ol’ yellow ballpark mustard.
Tangy stuff
Next, you’re going to want a little zip: relish, sliced pickles, or spears running the length of the bun, Chicago-style, are all great. Sauerkraut is in this family too, as is its Korean cousin kimchi. Coleslaw is an unexpected riff that gives you a little crunch and a little cream, too.
Creamy things
Mayonnaise is a classic option, especially in other parts of the world, and if you’re feeling fancy you could flavor it with a bit of chipotle, wasabi, miso or sriracha first. Other great creamy toppings include avocado (mashed, sliced, diced), sour cream, or even a fried egg.
29th Aug 2017
Activity Director
I do not believe it is illegal to play more than twice a week.
We played twice a week and played playing card bingo once a week.
If you have the staff or volunteers to lead the activity and over a 50% majority that want to play, then go for it.
If not, see if there is a compromise, you can offer, like musical bingo or these other suggestions https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?searchterm=bingo
29th Aug 2017
Activity Director
Here are some other ideas for a monthly birthday party for your residents. Every month has special days associated with it. I talk about these special days discussing facts about them and asking the residents questions about them. Of course, we cheer for those giving the correct answer. I also find songs related to the special days and alternate songs with discussions.
During the month I pass out homemade, resident made or computer generated cards about a particular subject occurring that month with several questions about the topic. I invite residents to answer the questions with space provided on the card. Then I and other staff members collect the cards. During the party I have several residents pick a winning card from those that have been turned in. The more residents that turn in the cards, the more prizes I give out. I also give out certificates to those who turned in a card but did not win a prize
I have a hanging pocket organizer hanging on a wall in a central location with these special cards and various other independent activities the residents can do when no activity staff is around.
Anyway back to the party. We always serve the cake and ice cream last because it seems like once the residents have something to eat, they want to leave.
I find that I can fill up an hour of time pretty easily with this strategy. I then can have entertainment on another day thus stretching my activity budget.
29th Aug 2017
Activity Director
What I found most exhausting is the amount of paperwork you are expected to do and the meetings you are required to attend.
I think activity professionals want to spend as much time with the residents as they can. They get personal satisfaction from seeing smiles on the residents' faces.
There are some residents you feel closer to than others. However do not get too close because you will be hurt eventually,
Another tip is to leave your problems at the door. Your facility is a happy place
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Your fantastic site is crammed full of great ideas. I am really glad I joined.
Linda Moores
Activities Coordinator
United Kingdom
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