The Importance of Activity Programmes in Care Homes
In all care homes, activity programmes are an extremely important part of everyday life for older people. Whether residents are competitively participating in different board games, enjoying a cup of tea, cake and some fresh air in the garden, or going on day trips to explore the local area, varied activities programmes should always have something suitable for all care home residents. Keep reading to discover the importance of activity programmes in care homes and how they can improve the quality of life of care home residents.
Engaging in activities within a care home setting is about so much more than the immediate pleasure gained. Social activities have been proven to benefit residents' mental and physical health. Activities for residents can be anything that is enriching, purposeful and beneficial to the resident and can be tailored to all different lifestyles, hobbies and interests.
Improves Mental Wellbeing
Numerous studies have found that social interaction and creative expression within care homes play an integral part in the mental well being of residents, improving general health. Individuals require meaningful engagement with the world around them for personal satisfaction.
Activities in care homes can bring a great sense of achievement to care home residents as well as live entertainment. Many care homes offer their residents a range of activities including games, competitions, baking activities, and arts and crafts for seniors to enjoy themselves partaking in the activities they love most.
Improve Physical Health
One of the best ways to ensure residents remain healthy in a care home is to encourage residents to stay active, which is often done through leisure activities such as gentle exercise, local walks, or even outdoor activities and strength training. Exercise has significant health advantages, reducing the effects of several illnesses and chronic diseases which particularly affects the elderly.
There are many benefits of exercise for older people. It has the ability to boost the immune system, improve digestive functioning, lower blood pressure, strengthen bone density and decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes, whilst reducing heart rate and improving the overall wellbeing of people.
Care home residents should be actively encouraged to take part in activities offered within a weekly programme which can include local walks in the park, visiting tourist attractions, reminisce, music therapy, book clubs, movie nights, board games and much more.
Reduces Loneliness
The lack of social interaction is not the only cause of loneliness. The feeling of loneliness can sometimes be experienced by residents living in a group setting such as a care home. This can be due to physical barriers such as loss of hearing, dementia, and depression can cause residents to spend time away from others or exclude themselves from activities. This is why many care homes recognise the importance of creating an inclusive programme, including activities for people living with dementia as well as actively encouraging everyone to get involved if they wish.
The main idea of nursing home activities is to bring everyone together. Group activities are the perfect opportunity for care home residents to create and build new bonds with fellow residents in a social setting supported by staff members.
Many care homes and nursing homes offer a tailored activities programme for each individual to receive the benefits. For those who are less confident and wish to socialise in a quieter setting, a library is ideal, offering a relaxing setting with social opportunities for activities such as a book club.
Encourages Reminiscence
Varied activity programmes accommodate many residents of all interests. They are the perfect opportunity for residents to continue with a much-loved hobby, or to learn a new skill. Residents participating in nursing home activities that they would have enjoyed in the past, such as baking, have the ability to trigger fond memories with familiar smells and tastes.
It is highly important to encourage residents to take part in activities that allow them to reminisce, especially activities for the elderly with dementia. Reminiscence is a significant part of dementia care and a powerful tool for bonding with others as well as reducing the impact of dementia, as remembering things from the past can spark happy memories and provide connections within the home.
Care home residents are often encouraged to take part in a range of leisure activities that are guaranteed to trigger fond memories. Many enjoy baking and art classes as it is something they would have done for their families when they were younger.
Maintain Current Hobbies and Discover New Interests
A varied activities programme allows residents in a care home to continue with their much-loved hobbies and provides them with the opportunity to try out new experiences and learn new skills. All residents are different, and what is a hobby for one person might be a chore for another.
Individuals will have their own preferences and interests, which is why our activities programme is so important as it has such a variety of things to offer, ensuring each and every one of our residents' needs are met for improved happiness and self esteem.
Activities Programmes Have Multiple Benefits
There are many physical and mental health benefits to social activities for care home residents. They are the perfect opportunities to bring individuals together, offering a wide range of things to do with something for everyone. Whether residents enjoy an afternoon baking, taking a leisurely stroll, or spending an hour or two reading a book, there should always be a meaningful activity to suit everyone. Activities programmes ultimately are impactful in their ability to contribute to our residents' overall happiness in a care home.
Trinity House Care Home Activities Programme
At Trinity House Care Home, our devoted activities staff feel passionate about offering a fantastic range of facilities and activities for our residents to enjoy with one another and to help with their physical wellbeing, cognitive stimulation and emotional wellbeing through a person centred approach.
We have seen the first-hand benefits of our activities programme, which is why we recognise the importance of our residents continuing to do things they love on a weekly basis, developing new skills or maintaining a hobby as we strive to improve the quality of life of residents.
The care home activities at Trinity House are tailored to each individual's needs and incorporated into our activities programme. This way our residents are guaranteed to have something to look forward to that brings them a sense of purpose and improved well being.
There is always plenty to choose from at Trinity House Care Home, from arts & crafts sessions, visiting animals, relaxing in our cinema, or even enjoying the sunshine in our private gardens on a regular basis.
If you would like to find out more information regarding the varied activities programme at Trinity House Care Home then please do get in touch, and we will be more than happy to help.
