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
3613 Comment
27th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Here are some ideas
, here are a couple of ice-breakers for your party. Hope they help and good luck!
- Ask guests to say Hi to each other and introduce themselves.
- Have the family to organize a short This is Your Life with slides of photos and significant moments in the life of the birthday person, like special memories or fun stories from the past.
- You may find some trivia from the year the person was born and read it out to guests. Find happy and fun events of that particular year.
- Play the game Do You Have...? This is a group game where items are gathered from various people encouraging interaction. The game consists of roughly dividing the guests into two groups and giving each group a list of things to produce from their pockets or handbags etc. Each group should have a leader who will shout out every time they find an item. The group with the most items wins the applause of everyone.
Items for the game Do You Have...? Use this list or make your own list.
Handkerchief
Credit card
Lipstick
Pencil
Powder
Umbrella
5 dollars in 50 cent coins
Mobile phone
Nail file
Pocket knife
Rubber band
Tissues
Finger nail clippers
Bobby pin
Comb
50 dollar bill
Mirror
Pen
Walking stick
Breath mints
Bank deposit receipt
Perfume
Paperclip
Key holder wit 6 keys
27th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Here are some ideas
https://www.dignityincare.org.uk/Dignity-in-Care-events/Dignity_Action_Day/dignity-action-day-ideas/
26th Jan 2023
Activity Director
I think food is a great
We used to have a once a week breakfast for the men
We also had a veteran come in and run a group and they had donuts and coffee
Here are some other ideas
https://www.goldencarers.com/activities-for-men/5042/
25th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Many like these ideas thank you for sharing
23rd Jan 2023
Activity Director
I think you have the right idea
One thing I would add, is a sing-along because music tabs into so many areas of the brain and those who can’t do much else can sing, even if they’re singing voice is not that great
Some of these ideas may help you also
https://www.goldencarers.com/activities-for-men/5042/
I would be fairly structured with the same type of activities at the same time every day
Perhaps you could have a special activity for each day of the week such as bingo on Monday and bowling on Tuesday etc.
23rd Jan 2023
Activity Director
I don’t think I would pick a king and queen, because some of the residents might be upset that they weren’t picked
Since found times day is soon why not host a Valentine’s Day party?
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-host-a-valentines-day-party/4632/
If you don’t think you have enough time to do that, then, perhaps a spring party might be in order
https://www.goldencarers.com/spring-party/4057/
Another idea might be to Have a resident council meeting and asked the resident what they want to do
Whatever you do, make sure you thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the difficult time
You might even want to tell each and every resident why you love them, which is something I always did at a Valentines party, but you could do it no matter what party you have
20th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Here are a few things I thought of
Writing letters
Looking at a photo album
Taking care of a plant
Bird watching
As well as these
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-activities-for-loners-and-introverted-seniors/4274/
19th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Can’t wait to see the picture. Thanks for sharing.
19th Jan 2023
Activity Director
Thank you for sharing these great pictures
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Absolutely love this site, you only need to use this one site to find plenty of activities for use in aged care homes.
Gail Parker
Lifestyle Coordinator
Australia
Dragon Group Craft
Those came out great
Thanks for sharing this picture