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
18th Jul 2017
Activity Director
Here is a link to one
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=activity+cart&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=181883988477&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=s&hvrand=7966807763690181044&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030779&hvtargid=kwd-112288854&ref=pd_sl_78wak286j8_e_p19
If this is not quite what you are looking for, they have others or do a general online search
18th Jul 2017
Activity Director
I think this will help.
You can modify it to meet your needs
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-conduct-an-activities-survey/4835/
Susan
17th Jul 2017
Activity Director
Here are a few ideas with links to tell you how to do them
https://www.goldencarers.com/safe-cheese-spreads-for-the-elderly/4448/ is for cheese spreads Some recipes are appropriate for Less Salt More Herbs Day celebrated on August 29 or anytime. I have another recipe if you are interested
This recipe may also be good https://www.goldencarers.com/milo-truffles/4155/ Take into consideration the resident's diets and food safety and infection control precautions, You may have to modify it a bit to fit your specific needs
You may want to have residents make milkshakes, You may be able to use this post
https://www.goldencarers.com/moo-mobile/4093/
Here is an easy recipe to make chocolate milkshakes http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com/2017/07/chocolate-milkshake-recipes.html
September 12 is Chocolate Milkshake Day in the US.
Along this line, you can also make ice cream floats by adding melted ice cream to soda
Here is a recipe you can adapt. You will have to boil the potatoes prior to the activity
https://www.goldencarers.com/indian-potato-dip/3807/ Let the residents mash their own potato with a fork. May be good for an agitated resident to do to keep him busy
Here is a recipe for beer hummus. You can buy hummus and have the residents add the beer https://www.goldencarers.com/beer-hummus/4262/
you may be able to modify this recipe. Precook and peel eggplant. Let each resident mash their eggplant. https://www.goldencarers.com/greek-eggplant-dip/3537/
Give them other ingredients to add. Do not be afraid to use garlic powder
Here is a drink you can make https://www.goldencarers.com/jamaican-punch-recipe-/3523/
Remember a large part of a cooking activity is discussing the ingredients, other recipes, and other appropriate reminiscing and trivia
14th Jul 2017
Activity Director
There is an article about 20 activities for the visually impaired
https://www.goldencarers.com/search/?searchterm=visually+impaired+activities
If you join and need further assistance, you can get some other ideas as well.
I hope you will join us
Susan
14th Jul 2017
Activity Director
For some reason, I am having trouble opening and responding to your comment. I am glad you are using the ideas on Golden Carers. You can always use the search box to look for specific ideas
I do not know if your husband is receiving hospice care. To me, it seems like he would qualify. There is not only support for him,but also for you and your family.
You may want to try an online support group such as https://www.caring.com/support-groups/erd-end-renal-disease
or http://chaplainsonhand.org/cms/index.php
12th Jul 2017
Activity Director
12th Jul 2017
Activity Director
If those are not what you are looking for, try these http://www.coloring.ws/simple_shapes.htm
They are simple and not childlsh
Susan
11th Jul 2017
Activity Director
perhaps they will be publishing soon about a theme for this year
BBQs, entertainment, ice cream socials, breakfasts, inviting the community in for a particular event would be good
20+ FREE Activities
Enjoy meaningful activity ideas that you can use with your clients straight away.
Become a member!
A 12 month membership with unlimited access is just $59.99 USD! It’s quick and easy to sign up.
Join Now
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
Forum
Often they have an activity calendar and usually welcome those from care facilities
Sometimes just o bus trip is a nice idea, You can stop to see the sights from inside the bus or can get out briefly
Going to a garden center might be fun
Going out for ice cream or a drive through a restaurant is good if you do not want to get out of the van. Most everyone likes food
We went to a bowling alley during an off time. We told the owner we were coming, Thsy made special arrangements for us.