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


3499 Comment

Susan 25th Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Kerry
Here are mini calendar templates as you can see I have one there for a weekly calendar template if this interests you let me know and I will try to walk you through how to do it
https://www.goldencarers.com/pdf/3881/
Susan 25th Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Sounds like a great idea I wish you luck
Susan 24th Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

I need to know what level you are residents are at
I did a book club with chicken soup for the soul stories but I suspect they are at a lower level than your residents
I think you should ask the people who would be in the group because those are the ones you have to please
Here are some other suggestions
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/2453/
Looking forward to hearing from you
Susan 23rd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

You could make your own game
What type of game are you looking for ??
How many people do you want to play the game ??
Is this for when you are not there ??
If you answer these questions I can make good suggestions for you
I find that no matter what game I buy I have to adapt and modify it to meet the needs of the residents who are using it
Susan 23rd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Here is an idea I really like from golden cares about gratitude journals
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-practise-gratitude-with-a-five-minute-journal/5252/
Going along with Gratitude is kindness and ways to practice it
Also residents can write down what they are thankful for
They can write their favorite thing about a particular topic such as their favorite flower in the spring and why they like this
Since residents may need help writing and expressing their thoughts you may have projects for the group to do as a whole so you can help each person individually
You can use stickers or have them draw simple things like rainbows or fireworks or just a simple design
I would not use the journals more than once a week
Also needed is a place to keep them so they don't get lost
But it's nice to share the residents thoughts with their family because often when families visit they do not know what to talk about and this could be just that
Susan 22nd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Tammi
Here are some suggestions given to Nikola also looking for evening activities
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/15626/
I love the idea of a resident choral group
They can also perform for family members at special occasions
Besides playing card bingo if this is too complicated try a game called one
Do use one die
Have each player roll the die if they get a one then they pass the die to the next person
If not they write down the number they rolled and roll again adding the numbers together
They can keep rolling and adding numbers or you can say they can only have two or three turns
If this is too complicated then just have them roll the die and see who gets the highest number
A lot of cheering has to go on white you're playing the game
Let me know if you need more details about any of the activities
Susan 22nd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

As I stated before use this article
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-run-group-exercise-sessions-for-the-elderly/5182/
Thanks for being a member I hope this helps
Susan 22nd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Bernadette
Your question must've gotten lost in the shuffle but anyway I see it now
This article will be of great help to you
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-run-group-exercise-sessions-for-the-elderly/5182/
I have done exercise groups many times and this will how do you do just that
If you have any specific questions let me know
Susan 22nd Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Great Idea Sandra
Residents love to be helpful
Susan 21st Mar 2019 Activity Director

Forum

Great ideas everyone
Help