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 21st Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Martha Jeanette
It would be helpful to know the type of residents you are providing activities for
This article is a good place to start
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-setup-up-an-orientation-program-for-new-activity-staff/7240/
Susan 21st Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Nicole
Plan a party one like this or another one Use some of these ideas
https://www.goldencarers.com/uncle-sams-party/3437/
Here are some more party ideas
https://www.goldencarers.com/party-themes-for-dementia-care/4829/
Susan 21st Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Charlotte
Here are some ideas. Make sure to read the comment also.
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-activities-for-late-stage-alzheimers-disease/4640/
Susan 20th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Melody
Thank you for your kind words
It is great to know you are appreciated
Feel free to share any successful activities with the group
Susan 19th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Karen
Thanks for your input
Susan 19th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Adelina
Thank you for your kind words
Glad this was a help to you
Susan 19th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Sally
One thing that comes to my mind right away, is to have this person be part of a robot leader
Often one people are part of the solution. Their attitude is much better
You could try some or all of this also
https://www.goldencarers.com/the-anger-game/7564/
Use some of these cheerful quotes
https://www.goldencarers.com/cheerful-quotes/7099/
Reading this article may help you also
https://www.goldencarers.com/16-ways-to-encourage-negative-or-pessimistic-residents-to-attend-activities/6571/
Susan 19th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Tamara
Thank you for your thoughts and ideas
Susan 19th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Chandler
Do you have a cafeteria like setting for some of the residents or do they eat in a room on the unit?
The trick I think is to get the cnas to buy in
Not and Gizzy task
I’m hoping you want to do this before they eat or after they eat because a lot of residents just want to eat and not do connectivity

With that said, you could have drinks before dinner, and have them help you make some recipes for them
You could change the recipe periodically depending on the season
You could also do some thing like this
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-minutes-to-share/4514/
Or this
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-improve-the-dining-experience-for-seniors/6097/

Susan 16th Apr 2023 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Peter
I am glad you were thinking ahead to plan what you were going to do. However, as you mentioned, you have to see what is in place.
I do not know what the regulations state
I am retired now, but when I worked in Massachusetts, every resident had to get a monthly calendar
I gave some of the residents a weekly calendar as well and posted one and a common area for all to see
Also, you have to see what is already in place for counters, etc.
I’ll think it’s important to see what the residents want
No sense having activities if no one wants to participate in them
Some residents may not feel comfortable using computers or tablets
I assume you will have one to use so you can print things out for those who do not want to use technology
I do not know if he will have visited the residents to get a sense of what they want to do
Perhaps shortly after you begin, you can have some sort of a resident council meeting so you get a better sense of what people want to do
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-run-successful-resident-council-meetings/4215/
As I said, before, there must be some Sort of regulations As to what needs to be included in the activity program
Help