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


3498 Comment

Susan 18th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Paper Gratitude Tree

Hi Sone
Thanks for sharing the picture
I like it when residents Can’t share what they are grateful for
Susan 18th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi a Christina from the US
I think that is a good idea
I don’t know if you go to Home Depot but they used to have kits for children of bird houses and other simple to put together projects
Also some of the craft stores have Bird houses and other wood simple shapes that the resident could sand and then paint
Depending on the level of function sanding is a pretty simple option and painting is a little more messy but residents seem to like to do that
This article might give you some ideas as well.
https://www.goldencarers.com/17-easy-arts-and-craft-kits/6328/
Let us know if you find anything that works really well
Let us know how your idea works Christine from the USA
Thank you for sharing

Susan 17th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Wow Sara
Welcome to Golden Carers
It sounds like you have quite a job
Just being an OT or an
Activity director are full-time jobs
You were smart to join this group because there are many many ideas here including those with the
Montessori approach
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/#stq=Montessori&stp=1
Feel free to ask any questions or share ideas that you might have that work really well for you
Thanks again
Susan 16th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Short Story - Crossword Puzzles turn 100th!

Hi Robert
Are these activities to simple for your residents??
https://www.goldencarers.com/activities-for-the-baby-boomer-generation-/4422/
Susan 16th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sara
You are lucky that the residents are able to do it themselves because many facilities they cannot
Thanks for sharing
Susan 15th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Maggie
That is a good idea
Thanks for sharing it
Susan 14th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Lyn
Solange has some great ideas
One thing I find that no matter what level the residents are at I always try to be very complimentary to them and tell them what I love about them
People especially those in assisted-living like to hear good things about themselves
Susan 14th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Asheigh
I have done something similar but have not you ducts with the rings on the top
I am not sure what your purpose is other than to have fun
Using a Pole as you describe is not that easy to do or many residents
You could use a magnet similar to what is described in a fishing game

https://www.goldencarers.com/fishing-game/3284/
You probably will need stronger magnets to lift up the docks
However when we played the game we just put numbers on the bottom of the docs and allowed residents to pick three and then let them add up the numbers on the bottom of the ducks
Depending on the group you could put harder numbers to add up or easy ones
After each person has a tear and you can mix up the docs or not depending on the group
This is much faster and you can reminisce about ducks are animals that live in a pond if you need to extend the activity
The ABC’s of any items are always good and easy to do
We got the Ducks at Oriental Trading
I know there are many places to buy ducks of this type but as I said I have not seen the ones that you are describing


Susan 14th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sally
Have you read the replies to Amy’s post
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/29578/
I think you will find some good ideas there
If you need more ideas let us know
Susan 14th Dec 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Thank you for sharing your wishes and all the other wonderful things you have done
Help