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


3394 Comment

Susan 18th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

I did not charge my residents for supplies or bingo unless Someone specifically went out of their way to buy them something special
Try to get as much as he can for free or have things do nated
You can also have fundraisers for a specific cause
It is amazing what you can get for free if you just ask
You can try to negotiate with entertainers to get the best price Some will and some won't
Look for the article I wrote on optimal activities ideas for fundraising marketing and free resources
Don't be afraid to ask family members for help especially those who are there all the time
Susan 16th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Cooking Activities for Puréed and Mechanical Soft Diets

Here is something else we used to do with those on my purée diet
I would get a small package of sugar-free Jell-O and the flavor the residents want
Mix about half of it with a 32 ounce yogurt container
You can top it with Cool Whip
You could also add flavored applesauce
You could make this into a parfait to make it fancy
Susan 15th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Cooking Activities for Puréed and Mechanical Soft Diets

I like plain hummus it is very tasty residents don't get it much and for those on puree diets they can eat it right off the spoon those on mechanical soft can eat it on a soft cracker
All can add seasoning or sour cream to the hummus and mix
It is best to give each person a small amount of hummus and let them add what Items you offer
This way you do not have to worry about infection control unless a resident take something from another persons dish
Susan 12th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

First of all I hope you contacted all the local newspapers and TV stations and radio stations to them know about this event
How involved is the family ?
Perhaps you or they can hire aentertainer for the occasion and of course have a big birthday cake to share with all the residents at the big party
Susan 11th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

Do you mean something like what is at these sites
https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/SonasMusic
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/Sonas

If not can you be a little more specific
Thanks
Susan
Susan 9th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

Have you tried the chicken soup for the soul books .
The stories are short and never marry her or me very appropriate for residents about all types
I'm sure you can find a few online
Susan 8th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

For those who asked:
Activity Evaluation Form
This comment from Solange is good
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/12553/

Here http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/selecting-activities-to-improve-current-functioning-develop-skills-and-utilize-strengths- is a link to something I found online that you can adapt and modify to your specific needs
Susan 7th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

First of all what kind of a place are you working at
How much supervision do people going on trips need
Make sure you have enough staff so that all the residents are safe
The company must have some rules and regulations they abide by so you will have to abide by what they say
Susan
Susan 7th Aug 2017 Activity Director

Forum

This is a tough question
First is this person and independent ambulator
Because having him walk up and down the halls may be the best thing for him if he is safe to do it on his own or if someone can walk with him and tire him out
Some people just like to move
Does he like to fidget with things because there are number of fidget devices that you could give him as long as they're safe and he will not try to eat them
Maybe you can have him peel oranges
Is he a leader
Would he like to sand wooden items and then paint them
Would he like to polish something
Does he like music if so what kind you could make him a special CD he could play or if do you have an old iPod you could put this kind of music on it with headphones for him to use
Let me know if these ideas are useful and if you can give me some more information about this person
Susan
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