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


3494 Comment

Susan 21st Apr 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Kim
It sounds like you’re doing a great job and have some fabulous ideas
You can always adapt and modify some of these activities on golden Carers
https://www.goldencarers.com/calendar/mothers-day-activities/19/
I’d like to make cards for the residents
I like to tell them why they are a good person and if you can get some thing good about them from their family or if you know them well you can include that I like to tell them why they are a good person and if you can get some thing good about them from their family or if you know them well you can include that
You can also say whether you were a mother or not you had a mother and I’m sure you were a wonderful child
Even if family members do not use technology they still have a phone so make sure that they call their loved one sometime during the day and you can even find out what time that might be so they will be ready for the call
You can also have the celebration at sometime later during the year
You could combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
And if that doesn’t work Mother’s Day father’s Day and grandparents day
You should remind families to buy their loved one A practical gift such as

https://www.goldencarers.com/40-gift-ideas-for-the-elderly/4578/

Also suggest that grandchild and rob them pictures or make them cards to brighten up their room
They can mail these cards so no coronavirus is on them
Again thank you for all you do

Susan 20th Apr 2020 Activity Director

Short Story Jokes #7

HI again Gwyneth
You are such a wonderful person doing all this volunteering
If you really are looking to help others I am sure long-term care facilities would love for you to call some of the residents on the telephone or perhaps do some other virtual interactions
Such as those suggested in this article
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-virtual-activities-for-residents-in-isolation/6292/
Thank you again for all you do
I am sure you have made a difference in many peoples lives
Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

Forum

The short answer is to do an activity on the move with the residents
Maybe you can have Other residents join in the walk
These articles may help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-manage-wandering-behaviour/4092/
https://www.goldencarers.com/wandering-and-dementia/5349/

Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

Dog Swims Ten Miles to Get Home

Another great story on Golden Carers
Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

12 Joyful Activities to Inspire Laughter

Yes Eta
Laughter is the best medicine and golden Carers has many activities to make residence laugh
Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

50 Activities for the Elderly in Lockdown and Isolation

Great ideas Olwyn
Some are great for those in lockdown but I think some are not but thank you for sharing
Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Akanisi
We have many activities for those with expressive aphasia as you are describe
https://www.goldencarers.com/5-aphasia-activities-for-senior-care/5406/
Can the person use his upper body because there are many movements you can do with those who can only sit but can use their upper body
Even if they can only do one thing it’s better than nothing
https://www.goldencarers.com/short-easy-exercise-routine/6301/
I suggest they not touch the toes but otherwise this is a fun routine that can be done from my chair
Let me know if you need any more ideas
Susan 19th Apr 2020 Activity Director

Forum

Thank you for this valuable information Gigi
It sounds like you’re doing a great job
I am just curious why residents stay
in their rooms all the time
Susan 18th Apr 2020 Activity Director

30 Spiritual Activity Ideas

Hi Matyida
Yes there are many free activities on golden Carers
I know budgets are tight but sometimes you can get the administration to pay for memberships
All you have to do is ask the worst they can say is no
I found many free things on the Internet
This article should be very helpful
https://www.goldencarers.com/optimal-activities---marketing-fundraising-sourcing-free-resources/5105/
You can try the tool kit free for 30 days
https://toolkit.goldencarers.com/
Susan 18th Apr 2020 Activity Director

ANZAC Day Service

Hi Yuranigh
It appears as if Shirley is no longer in member of Golden Carers but it may be somebody else can help you out
I do not know anything about the veterans affairs of the last post but it’s worth contacting them if you can
Help