10 Great Ideas For Your Nursing Home Activity Center
Posted: 08.09.2015
The residents in your nursing home rely on you not only for their physical health and safety, but for their emotional and mental well-being as well. This is why it is important to have a “daily activities” calendar, which encourages socialization and activity of all kinds. The key is to have a versatile calendar of events and to add new activities from time to time. Below are 10-activities to add to the mix.
Activity #1: Ice Cream Social
Ice cream socials are an excellent way to encourage socialization. You can serve coffee and tea along with ice cream bars—or even a build-your-own sundae bar. To mix things up, consider afternoon tea time, coffee and cookies, and even a happy hour for facilities that provide independent and assisted living.
Activity #2: Movie Night
While movies can always be watched in individual rooms, watching movies together provides an excellent opportunity for socilaztioan. Provide a mixture of fairly current movies and classics.
Activity #3: Computer Class
Many nursing homes now have a computer area in their activity center. This allows seniors to connect with their younger family members in modern methods. Teach simple classes on how to email and video chat, and even teach grandma and grandpa how to connect on social media.
Activity #4: Book Club
Seniors who were once avid readers may not have the eyesight to read with the frequency they once did, making book club an excellent activity. You can read the book aloud or listen to the audio book.
Activity #5: Penny Ante
Penny ante is an excellent way to get to know one another. You don’t even have to play with real pennies. Instead, you can use fake coins, marbles, or stray game pieces.
Activity #6: Arts and Crafts
There are a multitude of art and craft projects ideal for seniors. Keep things fun by hosting specific classes such as painting, jewelry making, paper flowers, or collages. Also plan some art and craft time that’s a bit less structured.
Activity #7: Indoor Gardening
Seniors who enjoyed gardening outdoors will enjoy gardening indoors just as well. You can provide your residents seeds and small pots to grow potted plants to keep in their rooms, or you can even explore indoor container gardens.
Activity #8: Seated Exercise
As the saying goes, if you don’t use it you lose it! Even if a senior has mobility restrictions, there are a multitude of effective seated exercises to keep them healthy and fit. Between seated aerobics, seated yoga, and seated Zumba there’s an option for all levels.
Activity #9: Music Hour
You can make music hour anything you like. You could spend the time playing one genre of music, such as golden oldies or classical music. Seniors could also play small instruments, or you could invite local musicians in to play a few songs.
Activity #10: Games
Bingo is a popular game in nursing homes, but also consider card games, board games, and even Wii bowling.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone in the activities above. Listen to your residents’ ideas and wants to help create your activities calendar.
Published by: SeniorCare.Jobs Editorial Team
Author: Joanne Silatei
Date: 8/9/2015
Activity #1: Ice Cream Social
Ice cream socials are an excellent way to encourage socialization. You can serve coffee and tea along with ice cream bars—or even a build-your-own sundae bar. To mix things up, consider afternoon tea time, coffee and cookies, and even a happy hour for facilities that provide independent and assisted living.
Activity #2: Movie Night
While movies can always be watched in individual rooms, watching movies together provides an excellent opportunity for socilaztioan. Provide a mixture of fairly current movies and classics.
Activity #3: Computer Class
Many nursing homes now have a computer area in their activity center. This allows seniors to connect with their younger family members in modern methods. Teach simple classes on how to email and video chat, and even teach grandma and grandpa how to connect on social media.
Activity #4: Book Club
Seniors who were once avid readers may not have the eyesight to read with the frequency they once did, making book club an excellent activity. You can read the book aloud or listen to the audio book.
Activity #5: Penny Ante
Penny ante is an excellent way to get to know one another. You don’t even have to play with real pennies. Instead, you can use fake coins, marbles, or stray game pieces.
Activity #6: Arts and Crafts
There are a multitude of art and craft projects ideal for seniors. Keep things fun by hosting specific classes such as painting, jewelry making, paper flowers, or collages. Also plan some art and craft time that’s a bit less structured.
Activity #7: Indoor Gardening
Seniors who enjoyed gardening outdoors will enjoy gardening indoors just as well. You can provide your residents seeds and small pots to grow potted plants to keep in their rooms, or you can even explore indoor container gardens.
Activity #8: Seated Exercise
As the saying goes, if you don’t use it you lose it! Even if a senior has mobility restrictions, there are a multitude of effective seated exercises to keep them healthy and fit. Between seated aerobics, seated yoga, and seated Zumba there’s an option for all levels.
Activity #9: Music Hour
You can make music hour anything you like. You could spend the time playing one genre of music, such as golden oldies or classical music. Seniors could also play small instruments, or you could invite local musicians in to play a few songs.
Activity #10: Games
Bingo is a popular game in nursing homes, but also consider card games, board games, and even Wii bowling.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone in the activities above. Listen to your residents’ ideas and wants to help create your activities calendar.
Published by: SeniorCare.Jobs Editorial Team
Author: Joanne Silatei
Date: 8/9/2015