Recreation

Recreation at Wilton Meadows

No matter what stage of life you’re in, enjoyable activities are vital to maintaining and improving your quality of life. This is especially true for those living in nursing homes.

Nursing home activities not only benefit residents psychologically, but they also contribute to the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of residents living in long-term care facilities.

Studies show that recreational activities in nursing homes help to…
  • Reduce depression, agitation, and anxiety
  • Foster dignity and independence
  • Combat loneliness
  • Provide structure and a sense of normalcy
 

… and are an integral part of more person-centered care throughout long-term care facilities like nursing homes.

Nursing home activities can help remind residents of the hobbies they were once passionate about.

There are several types of activities that are most important to the senior audience.

  • Social Activities for Nursing Home Residents
  • Building relationships in nursing homes can be difficult for residents.

 

Activities can be a great way for seniors to build relationships and feel like a part of the community. Aside from reducing loneliness, research has found that social activities may:

  • Improve nighttime sleep
  • Maintain physical function; and
  • Reduce cognitive decline in seniors
Some of the most common social nursing home activities include:
 
  • Birthday parties
  • Coffee chats
  • Ice cream socials
  • Church services
  • Reading groups
  • Holiday celebrations
  • And more
Physical Activities for Nursing Home Residents
Physical activities for nursing home residents can provide a host of benefits, including:
 
  • A reduced risk of falls
  • Reducing the risk of high blood pressure and helping lower blood pressure in those who already have hypertension
  • Improved mental health
  • Improved cognitive functions
  • And more
Physical nursing home activities may involve:
 
  • Stretching/Exercising
  • Walking
  • Chair Yoga
Creative Activities for Nursing Home Residents
Creative activities are a great way to get seniors to continue to use their fine motor skills while providing cognitive stimulation.
Some creative activities for nursing home residents may include:
 
  • Finger painting
  • Paper crafting
  • Decorating baked goods
  • Ceramics and pottery painting
  • Etc.
 
Creative activities can be especially useful in helping people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s by reducing agitation, anxiety, anger, confusion, and even improving sundowning.
Mental Activities for Nursing Homes Residents
Mental activities for nursing home residents may help slow down cognitive impairment and help residents feel more independent.
 
These activities may involve using …
 
  • Instruments
  • Technology
  • Photos
  • Newspapers
  • Activity books — word searches, coloring books, sudoku puzzles, etc.
 
… and more to get the residents involved in the different nursing home activities and help bring back memories from when they were younger. Group mental activities also help residents socialize and foster relationships among each other.