The Importance of Activities in a Care Home

Those who choose to live in a care home are often surprised by how many opportunities to try new and exciting things there are. Activities in care homes and any health and social care service are vital to overall well-being, and it’s key to understand the impact that these events and excursions have on residents and their loved ones. 

The Importance of Activity Programmes for Care Home Residents

In many care homes and nursing homes, activity programmes have been developed and put in place by a small team of qualified individuals. These individuals, otherwise known as Activity Coordinators, always have the well-being of the residents at the heart of everything they do.

Activity programmes offered in a care home are usually filled with a variety of exciting things to do, and the care home activities there are set to change regularly to avoid disappointment and to ensure all interests are catered for. Offering a selection of social activities that cater to different interests is important, and there are many reasons behind creating an activities programme that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone to take part in.

Improvement of Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing 

Research shows that having a diverse activities programme for residents in a care home can provide massive improvements to an older individual's mental and physical wellbeing. Going out for regular strolls, whether around the care home’s private gardens or parks in the local community, can help decrease the risk of heart disease and further cardiovascular issues as well as improve mood with its calming effects.  

It’s so important for an older person to stay active and alert, which is why a wander around the garden, attending an in-house arts and crafts workshop, or even an afternoon at the theatre can be brilliant to keep the mind sharp. Having something to focus on, or something that simply gives a resident a sense of purpose and independence can be great for their well-being and mood. Book clubs are often popular within care homes as residents can stimulate their brains when reading books, but also communicate with other residents about what they have read and share ideas and feelings at the book club. This enables residents who share a passion for literature to come together and look forward to the next book club.

Gardening clubs are highly recommended if a care home has an accessible garden, as creative gardening will encourage gentle exercise as part of daily physical activity which will improve physical health and motor skills and enable older individuals to get outside for fresh air and vitamin D which is important for general health.

Experience the Local Community

Being able to take part in stimulating activities and events in and around the local community is a great aspect of moving your loved one into a care home. Taking part in care home activities that are meaningful and positive is key to living a healthy and fulfilled life. Through the process of improving a resident’s personal life, the Activities Coordinator can see what the local area has to offer in terms of places to go and people to see. Common group activities when experiencing day trips to the local community include leisure activities, art classes, exercise classes and visits to local attractions.

Lots of care homes actively collaborate with other local organisations such as churches, schools and garden centres, offering opportunities for everyone to get involved, try new things and meet different people. For older people, intergenerational activities and the presence of younger people can have a positive impact on both mental and physical health. It also has benefits on the development of children to spend time with older people, making this an essential part of community living. 

Pastimes Conducive to a High Quality of Life

In many care homes, there’s a huge emphasis on providing residents with a varied and luxurious lifestyle, where each day is different and brings with it an abundance of opportunities.

This is incredibly important, as it enables residents to continue doing the things they love as well as experience new things. There are lots of entertainment options available in care homes that can provide residents with days full of easygoing fun all arranged by the care home's Activities Coordinator.

Playing competitive games can be an excellent pastime, and also one that helps to stimulate the mind in ways that incorporate problem-solving, memory and hand-eye coordination. Most care homes offer board games old and new, which can also help with reminiscence as they evoke memories of childhood. Listening to live music of an older era can bring residents back to an earlier time in their lives, which can help to reduce stress and improve emotional wellbeing.

Whether care home residents choose to take part in a game against their friends, families, or fellow residents, take themselves away to read a book, or pop into the local town for some exploring, there are always plenty of exciting opportunities for residents to get the most out of their days and increase their self-esteem ad self-worth. 

The Importance of Activities Coordinators in Residential Care Homes

When it comes to ensuring they have the most dedicated team of care staff, lots of care homes tend to have a real focus on nursing staff and care assistants. However, the importance of having Activities Coordinators within a care home is certainly something to not be overlooked. Having a dedicated individual or team who takes full responsibility for any social activities in the care home is fantastic for resident morale and stability. 

Taking part in daily activities or exciting excursions is solely down to the decision of the resident, however, having someone there to make sure that there is always something new and interesting to try will always be incredibly impactful on residents' wellbeing. These Activities Coordinators also become familiar friendly faces around the home, and usually someone the residents will come to associate with fun and laughter.  

Varied Activities at Penrose Court Care Home

At Penrose Court Care Home, one of our many passions is ensuring that every single one of our residents makes the most of each day. Alongside providing exceptional person-centred care which incorporates personal care and medical care, we encourage our residents to do what makes them happy, whether it's exploring Penrose Court's gardens and grounds, socialising with friends and family or venturing into Biggleswade's colourful market town centre. 

It is also incredibly important to us that each care home resident is given the same opportunities and that social activities are accessible to all. For those residents receiving nursing care or dementia care, we go above and beyond to ensure activities are inclusive for them too. Whether it’s assisting them with mobility around the home, bringing the activities to them, or holding 1:1 sessions, we make sure that your loved one is given every opportunity too. 

Our Activity Coordinators have a great time planning a variety of fun things for our residents to enjoy. Although we have our transportation to get residents from one excursion to the next, Penrose Court Care Home is in such a great location that if family members want to join in on the fun, there are plenty of great transportation options nearby, so no one is ever left behind.

Get in Touch Today

Our helpful team at Penrose Court Care Home would be pleased to help you in any way they can if you have any questions you would like to discuss on behalf of a loved one. You can get in touch with us by phoning 01767 777000 or sending an email to info@penrosecourt.com. As an alternative, you can complete our Enquiry Form, and we'll give you a call as soon as we can.