Nursing home activities are the activities planned and coordinated for the residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities.
The benefits of activity programs on nursing home residents health and well-being are well documented.
This article will suggest a few types of activities that are great ways to engage older adults.
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Activity programs in long-term care facilities are governed by federal regulations codified in theCode of Federal Regulations.
Short-Term vs. ## Music
Listening to or making music has a powerful effect on memory.
Older adults can benefit from casually listening to or playing music together or having music therapy.
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Technology
Electronics have changed activity programming for independent, assisted living, and long-term care facilities.
Trips to the library and book clubs are other ways they can provide a variety of reading material.
For residents who cant read, a collection of audiobooks or even podcasts can help them feel included.
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Storytelling
Storytelling can help connect people and keep the mind active.
Some residents may have an easier time recalling memories than others.
For some, open-ended questions help.
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Ceramics is another art activity that offers flexibility.
Tools like telescopes or microscopes can also help residents feel connected to nature and the universe.
Memory
Sight, smell, and touch can all invoke memories.
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One example of an activity is making memory mats.
These are table mats that residents can cover with photos and words to prompt memories and start conversations.
Cooking can be another way to engage the senses.
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A favoritefoodsomeones parents cooked when they were a child is likely to induce a pleasant feeling of nostalgia.
Its important to find exercises that are more than just safe and beneficialthey also should be enjoyable for residents.
One example that works well for groups is Chair Chi.
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You may also have residents who would prefer to do things one-on-one because they find groups too overwhelming.
Finding ways to engage residents individually is just as important as creating group activities.
Just sitting quietly and reading or doing a hobby can provide companionship and combat loneliness.
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Other residents might like to talk.
Nursing homes can also restructure activities usually done in groups so they work for an individual.
Journaling, writing down their stories, or using tech are also things they might be comfortable doing independently.
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They can also provide social interaction, another important element of health and well-being.
Assisted living activities are required to meet the individual needs of each resident.
Population Reference Bureau.Fact sheet: aging in the United States.
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Improving psychophysical performance in community-residing older adults.Sports Injr Med.
2020;4:166. doi:10.29011/2576-9596.100066
Perkins MM.How social relationships shape older adults health in assisted living facilities.Ann Long-Term Care.
Elsevier.Comfort promotion: Distraction (ambulatory).
National Institute on Aging.Participating in the arts creates paths to healthy aging.
