The Importance of Activities in a Care Home

Those who choose to reside in Aberdeen care homes are often surprised by how many opportunities there are alongside trying new and exciting things. Activities within a care home or any other health and social care services are highly important for individuals wellbeing and it’s key to understand the impact these activities, excursions and events have on residents and their loved ones.

Most care homes in Aberdeenshire, will have activity programmes which have been designed and put in place by a small team of qualified individuals. These individuals are known as Activity Coordinators, they go above and beyond for residents, ensuring their wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do.

Activity programmes offered within a care home are usually filled with a range of exciting activities, which regularly disappoint, ensuring all residents' interests are catered for. It’s important to offer a range of social activities that cater to the different interests of others and there are multiple reasons behind creating an activities programme which are accessible and enjoyable for all taking part.

Improvement of Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing 

Research shows that by having a diverse activities programme for residents can provide huge improvements for an older persons mental health and physical wellbeing. Wether you’re going out for regular strolls around a care home’s private garden or parks within the local community, it can all help decrease the risk of heart disease and further cardiovascular issues, as well as improving their moods and life satisfaction.

It’s essential for residents to stay active and alert, which is why a wander around the garden, attending art classes within the home or even an afternoon at the theatre can be brilliant for keeping the mind sharp. By having something to focus on, or a meaningful activity that gives a resident a sense of independence and purpose can be great for their wellbeing and mood. Book clubs are a great idea for care homes and they’re often very popular, not only are they good fun for residents, reading helps mental stimulation, thinking skills and it’s also a good option for getting fellow residents to communicate with one another; from reading to each other to sharing ideas. This then means to enable and encourage residents who share passions for literature to come together and look forward to the next book club, giving them a sense of belonging.

Another activity which is highly recommended would be a gardening club, especially if the home has an accessible garden. Creative gardening encourages gentle exercise as a part of their daily activities, improving physical health and fine motor skills, enabling older individuals to get outside for fresh air and vitamin D, all which is important for general health and wellbeing.

Experience the Attractive Local Countryside

Taking part in stimulating, meaningful activities and events in and around the local town, countryside and community is a great aspect of moving you or your loved one into a care home. Care home activities are all about encouraging residents to living a healthy and fulfilled lifestyle and activities coordinators can see what the local area has to offer in terms of places to go and people to see, therefore improving a resident’s personal life. Common group activities when experiencing day trips to the local community can include leisure activities such as arts and crafts, exercise classes and visits to local attractions.

Many Aberdeen care homes collaborate with other local organisations such as schools, garden centres and churches offering opportunities for everyone to get involved. Intergenerational activities and being in the presence of younger children are actively encouraged can have such a positive impact on a residents mental and physical health as well as impacting and benefitting the development of a child, making this an essential part of community living.

Pastimes Conducive to a High Quality of Life

In most care homes, there is a huge emphasis on providing residens with a varied and luxurious lifestyle, where each day is different, bringing an abundance of opportunities, enhancing social interaction. This is incredibly important as it enables residents to continue doing the things they love, whilst experiencing new things, meaning they're able to build meaningful connections. There are lots of entertainment options available for residents within care homes all providing residents with days of easygoing fun, all arranged by the home’s activities coordinators.

Playing competitive games are ideal for pastimes, it helps stimulate the mind in multiple ways, incorporating problem-solving, hand-eye coordination and memory. Most care homes offer board games too, old and new, which also helps with reminiscence as they evoke memories of childhood. Another activity which is great for pastimes is listening to live music of an older era, bringing residents back to an earlier time in their lives and therefore helping to reduce stress and improve emotional wellbeing.

Whether care home residents choose to take part in games against friends, families or other residents, take themselves away to read a book or pop into the local town, there are plenty of exciting opportunities for residents to take part in, making the most out of their days, increasing their self-esteem and self-worth.

The Importance of Activities Coordinators in Private Care Homes in Aberdeen

Care homes ensure they have a dedicated team of staff, always with nursing staff and care assistants. However, an activities coordinator is just as important and something that should not be overlooked. Having a dedicated individual or team who take full responsibility for social activities is fantastic for a residents morale and stability.

Taking part in activities or exciting excursions daily is down to the decision of the resident. However, by having someone there to make sure that there is something new and interesting always going on makes it incredibly impactful on a residents’ wellbeing. The activity coordinators within a home also become a familiar face for those around the home; where residents associate fun and laughter.

Varied Activities at Deeside Care Home

At Deeside Care Home, one of the things we’re passionate about is ensuring our residents are getting the most out of every single day and we encourage our residents to do what makes them happy, whether that’s organising outdoor activities exploring the gardens, socialising with friends and family members or stretching their legs and adventuring into Aberdeen’s city centre.

Our activities coordinators have a great time organising plenty of exciting activities for our residents to partake in, including dementia friendly activities which are just as important. We have a branded minibus which we use to take our residents from excursion to excursion. However, Deeside is in an ideal location so that if a loved one wanted to join in, there are plenty of nearby public transport options available. 

Whether you want to focus on staying active or you’d rather spend your days harnessing your creativity, there is never a dull moment here at Deeside and we’re strong believers that no two days are the same. With a positive outlook, we also really value our resident’s independence, which is why not all of our activities are supervisor led. Of course activities which are far, such as day trips out of the home and other social excursions, we have a member of team available to come along with us all. However, our aim is to encourage our residents to do what makes them happy, which is why a lot of our activities are resident driven and more often than not, co-organised by residents and activity coordinators.

Get in Touch Today

Our friendly team at Deeside Care Home are pleased to help you in any way they can and if you have any questions for us, you can get in touch with us via phone, by calling us on 01224 869816 or emailing us at info@deesidecare.com.