DHSS Description of Nursing Home Activities

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides official information on nursing homes, including checklists and advice booklets on how to choose the nursing home that best meets your needs. This information includes descriptions of activities for residents of nursing homes, which are considered vital to providing patients with a high quality of life for the duration of their stay. To choose the right nursing home for you or your loved one, it's important that you understand the standards that Medicare-approved nursing homes are expected to meet.

Outdoor Recreation Areas

• According to the DHHS Nursing Home Checklist, good nursing homes should offer clean, safe and accessible outdoor recreation areas for residents. In addition, staff should always be available to assist mobility-challenged residents if they need help getting outside, enjoying the grounds or returning indoors.

Volunteer Presence

• The Department of Health and Human Services also believes that active volunteer programs are a vital part of quality long-term healthcare for the elderly. You should check to make sure that any nursing home you're considering has a volunteer program in place, ask how frequently volunteers visit the nursing home, and find out what types of activities are included as part of volunteer programs.

Activity Variety

• On their checklist, the DHHS also recommends that you learn about the variety of structured activities offered by the nursing home. A narrow range of activities is more likely to lead to boredom and loss of morale, while a fuller range of activities helps residents stay entertained and fill their days with enjoyable pursuits.