Imagining life in a nursing home can often conjure visions of dreary long days with only something like a game of Bingo to break up the monotony. And while that’s not the reality, it certainly can feel that way for residents who don’t have activities that interest them on the schedule. While this may not seem like a big deal—especially when there are still major problems with abuse, neglect, malnutrition, and falls plaguing the nursing home industry—it might surprise you to know just how important activities can be for mental, and even physical, health. That’s why some long-term care facilities are reimagining long-term care routines and introducing new and unique activities for residents.
The Importance of Activities
Like we said above, worrying about the activities on the calendar seems meaningless in the face of the larger issues facing residents. However, these activities can make or break a resident’s experience, not to mention their mental and physical health.
Even something so simple as having a laundry basket of towels ready and waiting to be folded every day helps a resident feel useful and productive. In an article published by U.S. News, “the key word in “nursing home” is “home.” A good activities director finds ways to make it feel like home, while also adding more experiences.” Something like folding laundry, caring for a babydoll, and participating in games and movie nights can make a resident feel like they have a place and purpose in this era of life.
From keeping a skill developed over decades sharp to alleviating depression, to even encouraging movement and strength, activities play an incredibly important role in a resident’s life, health, and happiness.
“High social engagement was associated with a 42% lower mortality risk than low engagement.” – Saudi Medical Journal
Reimagining Long-Term Care Routines
Long-term care facilities and nursing homes across the country are starting to reimagine their routines. One night of Bingo is not cutting it. Instead, they are coming up with incredibly unique ideas to liven up the social calendar and address the needs and interests of every resident.
- Engaging the senses. Using bubble machines, providing books with pages of all different textures (animal fur, silk, sand paper, leather, etc.), playing music, providing folding stations, and handing out picture books with photographs. One nursing home even bakes cookies in the afternoon to create that lovely and cozy environment for residents. Another uses recorded sounds from various environments like the beach, forest, countryside, and city to elicit memories and senses the residents find familiar and calming. The idea is to address all five senses.
- Providing activities for all groups. Religious and social groups are primary ways for humans to make friends and connections. That does not have to end when we enter a nursing home. Instead, facilities can provide weekly religious services, establish LGBTQ+ groups, and start regular meetings for knitting, book, craft, cooking, gardening, movie, choir/music, and board game clubs. It’s important to ensure every resident has something to do and look forward to during the week that keeps their mind and body active.
- Physical health. This is one of the most challenging areas to engage residents. Often, illnesses limit physical movement and we don’t want anyone hurting themselves further with excessive physical activity. But there are lots of low-impact options out there that can keep residents moving safely. From gentle calisthenics to wheelchair yoga and tai chi, to even low impact weights and walks, movement, no matter how small, can keep both the mind and body healthy.
- Engaging with generations. The benefits of mixing age groups have been studied for years. Across the world, nursing homes have partnered with preschools, putting both on the same campus and regularly hosting events that bring the students and residents together. According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, “research shows that intergenerational shared sites increase the health and well-being of both young and older participants, reduce social isolation, and create cost efficiencies”. But facilities don’t have to go that far. Instead, they can encourage family get-togethers, provide resources for virtual communication, bring in volunteers from high schools, and even reach out to local theaters and schools to bring their productions, choirs, and other groups to the facility.
Consider New Activities for Residents
There are so many ways to engage long-term care residents. Whatever their lives included outside the care facility can be adapted to the resident life and routine. The important part is keeping residents active. Weekly calendars should be fairly full. In order to achieve this, facilities need a good volunteer network, meaningful donations of resources and supplies, and families and advocates that encourage them to develop a robust activity schedule that addresses the needs and desires of every resident.
As advocates, we hope to see the lives of residents improve in every way, and if voicing the need for more activities helps make residents feel like they are home, healthy, and productive members of society, we will keep encouraging these opportunities.
Be the voice for the voiceless: volunteer, contribute, and be a part of the weekly schedule of fun events at your local long-term care or nursing facility.
Read more about Battling Senior Loneliness & Dementia With Pets and Healthy Aging on the Gharibian Law Blog.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-624-7313) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Reimagining Long-Term Care Routines: New Activities for Residents
Imagining life in a nursing home can often conjure visions of dreary long days with only something like a game of Bingo to break up the monotony. And while that’s not the reality, it certainly can feel that way for residents who don’t have activities that interest them on the schedule. While this may not seem like a big deal—especially when there are still major problems with abuse, neglect, malnutrition, and falls plaguing the nursing home industry—it might surprise you to know just how important activities can be for mental, and even physical, health. That’s why some long-term care facilities are reimagining long-term care routines and introducing new and unique activities for residents.
The Importance of Activities
Like we said above, worrying about the activities on the calendar seems meaningless in the face of the larger issues facing residents. However, these activities can make or break a resident’s experience, not to mention their mental and physical health.
Even something so simple as having a laundry basket of towels ready and waiting to be folded every day helps a resident feel useful and productive. In an article published by U.S. News, “the key word in “nursing home” is “home.” A good activities director finds ways to make it feel like home, while also adding more experiences.” Something like folding laundry, caring for a babydoll, and participating in games and movie nights can make a resident feel like they have a place and purpose in this era of life.
From keeping a skill developed over decades sharp to alleviating depression, to even encouraging movement and strength, activities play an incredibly important role in a resident’s life, health, and happiness.
“High social engagement was associated with a 42% lower mortality risk than low engagement.” – Saudi Medical Journal
Reimagining Long-Term Care Routines
Long-term care facilities and nursing homes across the country are starting to reimagine their routines. One night of Bingo is not cutting it. Instead, they are coming up with incredibly unique ideas to liven up the social calendar and address the needs and interests of every resident.
Consider New Activities for Residents
There are so many ways to engage long-term care residents. Whatever their lives included outside the care facility can be adapted to the resident life and routine. The important part is keeping residents active. Weekly calendars should be fairly full. In order to achieve this, facilities need a good volunteer network, meaningful donations of resources and supplies, and families and advocates that encourage them to develop a robust activity schedule that addresses the needs and desires of every resident.
As advocates, we hope to see the lives of residents improve in every way, and if voicing the need for more activities helps make residents feel like they are home, healthy, and productive members of society, we will keep encouraging these opportunities.
Be the voice for the voiceless: volunteer, contribute, and be a part of the weekly schedule of fun events at your local long-term care or nursing facility.
Read more about Battling Senior Loneliness & Dementia With Pets and Healthy Aging on the Gharibian Law Blog.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-624-7313) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.