Fun Activities for Senior Citizens in Nursing Homes

Whatever stage of life you're in, enjoyable activities are vital to maintaining and improving your quality of life. This is especially true for seniors living in nursing homes.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to nursing home activities. It is important to take into account not only physical limitations, but also cognitive abilities. There are several fun and engaging activities that are ideal for nursing home residents, including games, gardening, and ice cream socials.

Creating activities for long-term care residents is no longer just about filling time, says Ephraim Zagelbaum, Founder and CEO of Personal Healthcare. "We want to enrich their lives." Here are a few examples of innovative nursing home activities:

Therapeutic cooking

Many activity rooms have kitchen items - not necessarily an oven, but cooking equipment such as a hot plate, microwave, or toaster oven. Ephraim Zagelbaum explains that residents tend to reminisce while they measure and mix ingredients (chocolate chip cookies are a favorite) because the kitchen was once the place where everyone gathered while someone cooked.

Musical activities

Playing an instrument or singing your heart out can be social and satisfying. At Personal Healthcare, residents can participate in bell choirs, drum circles, and vocal choirs, according to nursing home owner Ephraim Zagelbaum. According to him, the drum circle is exciting for both performers and audience members.

Crafts

Residents can get entertained while they improve their hand strength and dexterity through crafts. Additionally, they can give residents a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which can be very beneficial to their mental health.

Art therapy

Residents in some nursing homes paint while drinking chardonnay at wine and cheese nights. In some cases, each resident is given a blank canvas and instructed to paint his or her mood, while a song plays in the background, Ephraim Zagelbaum says. Alternatively, the group may be given a piece of art and asked to recreate it together.