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 Jan 2020 Activity Director

Hugging Day Voucher

Hi Mercedes
We are glad you are a member of this group
You are right there are a wide variety of activities
Yes this is truly a great site for any activity professional caregiver or others involved in senior care
Thank you for being a member
Susan 19th Jan 2020 Activity Director

20 Activities for the Visually Impaired

Hi Jason
Is the client in a group setting or are you working with him individually
Has he had an evaluation by an occupational therapist to see what his strengths and weaknesses are and his likes and dislikes
Have you contacted the commission for the blind they have some good tools you can use
Do you have any budget to buy things for him or does everything have to be donated
I would suggest some headphones maybe you can get some donated and have his favorite songs on the headphones
You could try this sensory activity and see if he likes it
https://www.goldencarers.com/treasure-hunt-/3291/
Also think about getting a keyboard or some other type of object where he can press the large buttons
Also maybe some kind of paper folding activity
Also some physical activity is very important
He may be able to run or jump or skip
He could use a large ball
If you need more suggestions let me know
Susan 18th Jan 2020 Activity Director

How to Host a Mardi Gras Parade

Dear Lawonder
Thank you so much for your input I am sure members agree with you because the site gives many great ideas
Susan 18th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Five Ways to Spice Up Your Exercise Program

Hi Tara
Music is a pretty individualized thing because it depends on the group you are working with
I like YMCA
The hokey pokey
When the Saints go marching in
And the ideas suggested in this comment
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/24461/
Susan 17th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Pairing & Sorting

Great idea Lawonder
Susan 17th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Music Bingo

Thank you for this information and Kelly
Susan 16th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Forum

I have one just waiting to get it approved
Susan 16th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Forum

I have always had independent leisure activities for times when all the residents were not available to engage in a group activity
Sometimes I also did impromptu activities so whatever those who are available feel like doing that’s what we do
A sing-along and trivia are good activities for these times but you can also have word searches and other somewhat independent activities available for those who want to do with them

I always schedule a big group activity in the afternoon after everyone is done with lunch such as
Entertainment
Bingo
A religious activity
A big game such as bowling
And another big game such as horse racing
Susan 16th Jan 2020 Activity Director

Five Ways to Spice Up Your Exercise Program

Great idea Alison
I like props too
The residents seem more engaged when they use them
Help