Member Profile:

Susan

Activity Director From Nevada, United States


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


3496 Comment

Susan 19th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Linda
I agree with you
Thanks for sharing this
Susan 19th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Jay
Thanks so much for your input
It is very helpful
Susan 19th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Jill
I think a Sing a long as a good idea
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
There is another article that could help you

https://www.goldencarers.com/sundowning-symptoms-triggers-strategies/4451/
Make sure to read the comments as well

Susan 19th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sonya
What comes to mind is origami
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search=Origami&search_tag=
There is an activity about making paper airplanes included
Susan 19th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Lina
I am not from Australia I’m not sure what certificate IV means
Are you supposed to refer somebody if you think they have a need??
For example if you think they need a hearing aid or a hearing evaluation would this be something??
A vision problem may be an issue also
would you refer them to get their vision checked?
Would you suggest that they get reading glasses or a magnifying glass that they could use at activities ??
Is there a commission for the blind or something like that that you could refer them to??
Would You suggest they go on hospice??
Is this what you had in mind??
And for not being more specific in your question
Susan 17th Jul 2022 Activity Director

20 Practical Activities for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease

Chloe
It is mainly trial and error to see what the residents like to do
I think musical activities are good because people with dementia can usually sing songs even if they do not speak
There are many musical activities you can do
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
I like to play name that tune with songs they know instead of playing the Notes I say the first word in the Title and then if they don’t get the song say the second word and so forth
Then we sing that song
Nother thing to do is table ball using a balloon or a beach ball
I usually set up two tables and count how many hits they can get without the ball or balloon falling on the floor
It will be a lot of exercise for you but I usually have residents sitting around a table sometimes I would put a piece of yarn on the ball with tape and then tape it to the table but usually the tape fallls off but at least it will save you from having to get the ball a lot
You can have the higher functioning residents be your helpers which seems to work well if you have some who could do something
Another idea is simple trivia with residents
True and false questions are the best because you have a 50% chance of being right

https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?search_tag=Activity&search=True%20and%20false%20questions
You need to include everyone in the group you need to be enthusiastic entertaining and engaging
Oh I think of it like doing a performance
Here are some ideas about getting reluctant resident to Activities

https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-get-reluctant-residents-to-attend-activities/5980/
If you need more help let me know I have many many ideas



Susan 16th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Woolworths Lego Bricks for Dementia Care

Hi Claudia
You could get big Lego type bricks
However if the resident put everything in their mouth I’m sure you can think of different activities to do
Every place is different so you have to do what is best for your residents
Susan 16th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sally
Contacting the library is a great idea
They are usually pretty good at finding things at least that was my experience
If you cannot find a DVD perhaps you don’t really need one here are some ideas about Germany and Oktoberfest
https://www.goldencarers.com/germany/
Susan 15th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Luz
I have had volunteers that seemed great but then they had an issue
They are only volunteers
Unfortunately you can’t necessarily count on them
You just have to move on
Susan 15th Jul 2022 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Christopher
Thank you for sharing this quite inspirational
Help