Activities done in nursing homes serve a number of purposes. According to Seniors Site, they allow residents to interact with their environment, they promote social interaction and they keep the elderly alert and active. Programs vary widely among nursing homes and depend on budget, organization issues and the health and age of the residents.
Social Activities
Many nursing homes have a mix of ongoing activities as well as monthly events. Smaller homes might celebrate residents' birthdays with birthday parties that include invitations for family members. Larger homes sometimes run monthly birthday parties and anybody who has a birthday in that month is celebrated and receives a present. Both secular and religious holidays are usually celebrated as well, including Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and even Halloween.
Nursing homes sometimes organize social activities such as concerts, dances or bingo nights. Tournaments for bridge or cookouts to which everybody is invited are also popular. These activities encourage interaction and help the residents feel like a part of the community. Trips to community events can be organized for residents who are mobile and healthy enough to spend a day out. These trips are often organized and led by volunteers or family members, rather than staff, and the length and type of trip has much to do with what's locally available as well as who's joining in.
Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts programs are often led by volunteers who teach classes or lead workshops once or twice a week. Painting, paper making and ceramics are all popular choices, as they are appropriate for most residents. Imagination is the limit here, however, and you can find anything from photography to knitting to growing herbs as part of an arts & crafts program at a nursing home.
Therapy and Well-Being
Group therapy is sometimes organized by volunteers or even residents to help with social interaction and healing in homes where an official program is not present. Other nursing homes have pet therapy programs in place, where volunteers visit weekly with dogs and other docile animals to provide companionship and mental stimulation for residents.
The Nursing Home Finder website also recommends alternative therapies such as Tai Chi or massage as a way to help both the body and the mind to stay active and in good health. Some nursing homes also offer fitness classes geared specifically toward older people while others may organize walking programs.
