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


3491 Comment

Susan 20th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sandy
Have you seen these things
https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
https://www.goldencarers.com/free-activity-calendar-for-seniors/4857/
This is pretty self-explanatory watch the video if you have questions please ask them
Also you can use the tool kit

https://toolkit.goldencarers.com/plans/
Which is free to members
Let me know if you have any specific questions on how to use any of these


Susan 20th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Thanks for the clarification Sally
Here are some other ideas
An art room
Where are you could make or collect pictures to display and other objects that you might want to use which could be handmade or found
A children’s toy or playroom where are you could get or make children’s toys to display
A music room where are you could display old fashion record players either pictures or if you can get real ones you probably can buy some Inexpensive replicas or you could have a tape of residents singing
Let me know if you need more ideas
Susan 20th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Thank you for this information Camellia
Susan 19th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Amy
I would like to help you
Do you need help making a Calendar
This may help https://www.goldencarers.com/dementia-program---weekly/3281/
Also the sample calendars should give you some ideas of what others have done

https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
Let me know if you need more help





Susan 19th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi again Kayla
This ornament sounds like it might be a good idea
https://www.goldencarers.com/christmas-ornament-keepsakes/6715/
You have some great ideas
Along the idea of a photo of three you could make a photo wreath
Perhaps you can help the resident make a wreath of statements that are saying why you and other staff members love them
You could do this using this linked garland or use the garland for something else. https://www.goldencarers.com/special-messages-on-paper-link-garlands/6066/

Susan 19th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Thanks for the information Jenna
Susan 19th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Milena
I would ask the facility you are going to watch their procedure is
Perhaps you can go in their room and open the window
Most residents have a coat for the cold weather
If you have a time constraint perhaps the staff can get the resident ready for you
Susan 19th Nov 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Edith
I think the ideas I suggested will be good for residents who are high functioning
If the directions are too complex then break them down into simple steps
You may want to ask residents what they want to make
This activity seems like it might be fun. https://www.goldencarers.com/play-dough-crafts/4020/
Collages are always fun to make

https://www.goldencarers.com/mixed-media-collages-for-the-elderly/4715/
You can simplify this if necessary
You could make a collage for any season



Susan 18th Nov 2020 Activity Director

9 Examples of Activity-Based Care Plan Interventions

Hi Margaret
Use the ideas in this article to develop a care plan
Remember these care plans are supposed to be individualized
Remember to use the basics of writing a care plan
This article may help. https://www.goldencarers.com/care-plan-goals-interventions/3332/
Use this general format but you’ll have to change it to reflect things you want to do with and for your residents

https://www.goldencarers.com//photos/1565209078-activities_care_plan.doc
You may find the tool kit helpful also. https://toolkit.goldencarers.com/plans/




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