Going to a nursing home can be difficult for both the patient and the family. But if you know what activities are available, it can make your loved one’s time in the facility more enjoyable. Here are some tips on how to choose activities for your loved one:
Consider These Things When Choosing
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing nursing home activities for your loved one. It may seem like an overwhelming task at first, but once you get the hang of it and start asking the right questions, it will become second nature.
The first step in choosing an activity is asking your loved one what he or she wants to do! Not only will this give your insight into his or her personality and interests, but it also ensures that he or she will be happy with whatever activity(ies) we choose together as well.
If that doesn’t work for some reason (maybe they don’t know how much longer their health will allow them), we need another plan B: ask friends & family members who know him/her well enough to help us out here! They could tell us things about our loved ones that no one else would know about–like what hobbies they used to enjoy before getting sick; whether there were any specific TV shows they watched growing up…any kind of information could help narrow down which activities would make sense given our circumstances.
Now let me tell you something else real quick before moving onto step three: never forget about talking directly with staff members at nursing homes too! Sure enough there’s always going to be someone working there who knows better than anyone else exactly which types o’ activities tend work best within their facility because they’ve seen firsthand how beneficial these kinds o’ programs can be when done correctly, and trust me when I say this person WILL have plenty o’ suggestions waiting patiently just behind those doors.
Consider The Weather When Choosing
The weather is a factor to consider when planning activities. Although the weather can be unpredictable, it’s important to keep in mind that your residents will need time to adjust and prepare for changes. If the weather is bad, you may have to reschedule your planned activity for another day or find an indoor alternative. On the flip side, if it’s nice out (or even if you’re just feeling adventurous), try taking advantage of any outdoor opportunities that arise!
Require Too Much Physical Exertion
You should also avoid activities that require too much physical exertion. For example, if you are moving from one room to another and have to carry something heavy, or if you are lifting objects above your head. These activities are strenuous and can cause injury if done incorrectly or with improper form. Instead of these types of activities, choose ones that don’t involve a lot of movement such as reading or playing games on your phone or tablet computer (if they have one).
More Than One Person Can Participate
Group activities are a great way to socialize and get to know other people. They can also be an important part of your daily schedule, as they encourage you to take part in something with other residents. When planning group activities, it is important to think about what kind of participants will be involved. For example:
- Are there any physical limitations? If so, try looking for activities that do not require much movement or strength (such as puzzles).
- What skills does each resident have? There are many different ways that people learn–some prefer auditory learning while others prefer visual learning, so make sure your activity has options for everyone!
Facilitator’s Experience and Qualifications
When you are looking for nursing home activities, it is important that the facilitator has experience in the activity you want your loved one to participate in. Ask about their qualifications and training. If they don’t have a specific certification or degree for that type of activity, ask if they are willing to take classes or other training programs so they can become more knowledgeable about it. You also want someone who has experience working with people who have similar disabilities as yours (if applicable).
For example: An occupational therapist may be able to teach fine motor skills through painting on canvas boards but would not be able to instruct an agility course because he/she does not have any knowledge about how these types of activities work.
Conclusion
Remember that your loved one is still a person, and they can enjoy simple things like watching a movie or reading their favorite book. They may not be able to do everything that they used to, but it’s important for them to feel like they have some control over their lives. The best thing about nursing home activities is that there are so many different types available! You should try as many different ones as possible until you find something that suits both of your needs perfectly.
