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 2nd Aug 2018 Activity Director

Forum

I commend you for having a bus trip every week it is a lot of work I am sure
I am surprised that residents do not want to attend because it gives them a chance to get out
Is there a cost involved ??
Do you have a destination in mind ??
Going out to eat is always something residents want to do even if it's just to McDonald's
Maybe you can get ice cream someplace
You could go to a shopping center so they can get supplies
I hope this helps
Susan
Susan 21st Jul 2018 Activity Director

8 Creative Group Activities for Seniors

I think creative activities are great for seniors because it helps keep their mind sharp
I used to do many creative activities with our residents I also had some of my staff run the activities but they were not for every staff member

The first activity I did was something called a picture is worth a thousand words
I showed the residents a picture with a lot going on
Then I asked the residents to tell me about certain aspects of the picture
The next step was for me or another resident to make the statements into a story
I printed the story out and put it in a notebook with the picture
That way the residents could look at the story periodically

I also had story starters that the residents could finish

Another idea is to do mad libs where the residents told the leader certain words without seeing the story. Then you fill in the words that they told you
It can be pretty funny and good for a laugh

I also did poetry such as limericks, haiku or just creating a poem for the season or for special topics

I also like to do Mandala art
Higher functioning residents could create a Mandate
Others could just color them in

We also took some popular songs and changed the words to make new songs

I was able to adapt and modify these activities for almost any type of resident

As I mentioned earlier I like putting these creative endeavors in a notebook so the residents good view them periodically

If you need help with any of these ideas, let me know
Susan 27th Jan 2018 Activity Director

14 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

Here is another reason to celebrate Black History Month especially if you have residents with dementia.
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com/2018/01/black-history-month.html
Susan 7th Dec 2017 Activity Director

Forum

Another idea that came to mind is to have a sports night
Put a game on TV and serve refreshments that's always a big hit
Also serving refreshments at any activity brings the esidents out
Susan 7th Dec 2017 Activity Director

Forum

How could I forget a movie night
One way I got residents to get involved in the sing-along is to have a resident choral group
They could have performances for the other residents families or the community throughout the year thus giving them an incentive to practice
Susan 7th Dec 2017 Activity Director

Forum

I always had great luck with a playing card bingo game and a sing-along at night
I assume you're looking for Night activities
Susan 2nd Dec 2017 Activity Director

Forum

I just wanted to remind everyone that not everyone celebrates Christmas so keep this in mind during the holiday season
Also for some residents this can be a very difficult time of year
Susan 2nd Dec 2017 Activity Director

Forum

Hi Brian
I cannot speak to NSW
However in the United States the surveyors can be quite picky at times
One of my colleagues who had been working as an activity director for 20 years had great notes but one of her people was out sick and she did not get the support from the other staff so she got some deficiencies
Hang in there do what you're supposed to do and you should be fine
Susan 29th Nov 2017 Activity Director

Adapted Dreidel Game

This game is a lot of fun for Jewish and non-Jewish residents alike.
Susan 29th Nov 2017 Activity Director

Dice Games for the Elderly

For those who are visually impaired, buy or make large dice.

Use the idea in the comment section of this link
https://www.goldencarers.com/adapted-dreidel-game/5312/
Help