Activities for Nursing Home Residents

Nursing homes or long-term care centers are often necessary for the elderly. Constant care and medical attention are essential for the well-being of many. However, keeping busy and engaged also is important. Nursing homes are active and cheerful places, offering seniors a multitude of options when it comes to activities.

Games and Crafts

• Indoor games and crafts are activities that elders with a variety of cognitive levels and physical abilities can enjoy. We're not talking about coloring or construction paper card activities but more stimulating games like bridge, bingo and even poker and other popular Vegas-style games. Craft opportunities can run the gamut from clay sculpting classes to oil or watercolor painting. Computer games also are growing popular with the older crowd as nursing home activity departments gain high-tech video systems in their facilities.

Outdoor Excursions

• Whether your nursing home is on the beach or in the middle of the New Hampshire woods, take advantage of the great outdoors and offer residents a chance to venture outside to watch the leaves turn or enjoy a picnic, cookout or a local event or play. Throughout the year, communities around the country offer events for the holidays, such as tree-lighting ceremonies, hot-air balloon launches, antique auto shows, fireworks displays and parades. Gather community volunteers together and encourage seniors to enjoy some of these outdoor events.

Gardening

• Many nursing homes have a plot of land that gives seniors the opportunity to plant flower and vegetable gardens. Encouraging movement and social activities can benefit nursing home residents and gives them the chance to feel useful and needed. Vegetables grown in the garden may be used for meals and flowers plucked for table arrangements, offering residents a sense of pride and accomplishment.