Summer Activities for Residents in A Care Home
As we all know, summer is a season full of sunshine, warmth and vibrancy, creating a wonderful opportunity to engage in a selection of activities to enhance the wellbeing and happiness of individuals within a care home.
It’s essential that Care Homes in Stirling create a supportive and enriching environment ensuring residents can thrive mentally, socially and physically. Within this blog post we’ll look into some of the best summer activities in which you could offer in your care home or genuinely do with your loved ones. We will also highlight how they’ll benefit each individual whilst allowing them to contribute to a fulfilling lifestyle.
Benefits of Offering Summer Activities for Older Adults
Providing the elderly with activities to take part in has multiple benefits which can boost self esteem and their overall health and wellbeing. When choosing certain outdoor activities it’s ideal to make sure they incorporate one or multiple of the following benefits:
Improved Physical Health
Outdoor exercises such as gardening, walking and other light sports can promote muscle strength, cardiovascular health and flexibility. For individuals, maintaining gentle exercise or physical activity can improve mobility issues, reducing the risk of injuries and falls. Engaging in physical activities prevents and/or manages chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Enhanced Mental Health
Vitamin D, fresh air and sunshine increases serotonin - a mood enhancing chemical in the brain. Activities that can be done outside such as arts and crafts or music sessions, can help cognitive functions sharpen, slow down progressions of conditions such as dementia and it can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, which then enhances the quality of life for each individual.
Increased Social Interaction
Taking part in group activities can help foster a sense of belonging and community within Stirling Care Homes. This reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness, as spending time with other like-minded individuals can build up friendships; engaging with others enhancing their emotional wellbeing.
Sense of Purpose & Routine
Having a structured activities programme will provide residents with a sense of routine and purpose, which is essential for those who feel as if they’ve lost their direction or independence. Planning these activities will give residents something to look forward to, helping them with their feeling of independence, contributing to a more happy and fulfilled life.
Top 5 Summer Outdoor Activities for Care Home Residents
Gardening
Gardening is known to be a favourite summer activity for residents, it allows them to have some gentle exercise, improving their fine motor skills and offers them a sense of accomplishment and as the summer months progress, they can watch the garden transform and come to life with greenery and colour.
Gardening can also be a sensory activity which benefits everyone, especially those who are receiving dementia care. When activities include all the senses, it can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Gardening can do exactly that, from touching the soil and smelling the flowers to seeing the plans grow. Gardening can also be a social activity which allows residents to work together, sharing their tips and tricks, creating a wonderful sense of community, overall encouraging teamwork. Many care homes will provide window boxes or raised planters for those who have reduced mobility.
Arts & Craft Sessions
Arts and craft sessions are a great way to stimulate ones creativity and cognitive function. These activities can vary from painting and drawing to pottery, knitting and jewellery making, allowing residents to bring out their creative side, making something that represents who they are and what they enjoy.
Artistic styled activities can provide a mental workout, encouraging individuals to engage in problem-solving whilst being creative. They also provide find motor skills within development, which is beneficial for those with conditions affecting their hand movements or those with arthritis. Arts and crafts can also enhance ones confidence, allowing them to feel a sense of accomplishment as they show off their work.
Music & Dance Classes
Music has a very powerful impact on emotions and memory, it can often spark memories associated with certain songs, improving overall moods. Dancing can also encourage residents to express themsleves alongside improving their balance and coordination. These classes can be tailored to the preferences of each individual, including their favourite genres from now and when they were younger. As well as sing-alongs, dance routines and other instruments playing can all be incorporated whilst out in the garden. Music and dance classes are a wonderful way to bring others together, ensuring they feel connected and uplifted, leaving them with a positive mindset.
Cooking Classes & Baking
Cooking classes and other baking activities can range from simple treats to savoury dishes with help from the dining team and kitchen staff. It will all depend on each residents preference as well as the homes adaptions to ensuring safety and accessibility at all times. Additionally, making summery treats like ice lollies allows residents to enjoy whilst relaxing in the sunshine. Cooking and baking stimulates all of the senses, allowing residents to reminisce whilst sharing their favourite recipes they had when they grew up.
Outdoor Day Trips
Organising a day trip can be one of the most exciting summer activities for an elderly person. These trips can include local visits around the community and local parks, botanical gardens and museums. A change of scenery alongside the fresh air is highly beneficial for everyone.
Day trips can provide a break from the usual daily routine, introducing residents to new experiences and sights. All trips can be planned accordingly to ones health needs and preferences, making sure that they can all participate and enjoy being outside safely. Spending a day out side of the home with other residents and caregivers strengthens the bond, creating even more happy memories. It’s an opportunity for laughter, exploration and conversation, all of which contributes to a resident receiving a rich and meaningful lifestyle.
Our Private Gardens at Roselea Court Care Home
Our Luxury Care Home in Stirling has a beautiful garden, which serves as a secure and serene place for our VIPS to enjoy. Our garden is designed to be accessible and inviting, providing an area of relaxation and socialisation. The closed-away nature of our gardens makes sure that our VIPs can enjoy the outdoors without any safety concerns. You can be rest assures that our secure environment is beneficial for everyone, especially for those with dementia or other conditions which may cause wandering.
Within our gardens our VIPs can get involved in a range of activities as we have a deviated activities team which creates a weekly schedule that aligns with our VIPs needs and preferences. Alongside the activities we can arrange outdoor events too, from picnics and BBQs to themed garden parties, all in which provide oppourtunies for social interaction and entertainment, enhancing a sense of community within our Residential Care Home in Stirling. Everyone are welcome to join our events, from family members and friends, these events enhance our VIPs bond with them, allowing them to create more memories.
Within the summery months, we’re always encouraging our VIPs to make full use of our gardens, from relaxing, garden games and/or taking part in exercise classes. We take pride in offering continuous support, empowering VIPs and their loved one, ensuring to maintain dignity and independence.
Book a Tour Today
If you’re looking to learn more about our care home, we invite you to book a tour today. Visiting our wonderful care home in person is the best way to see firsthand the exceptional care and extensive range of activities we have on offer to our VIPs. Our friendly staff members will be delighted to show you around, answering any questions you may have and discussing how we can meet the specific needs of you or your loved one.
