Residents and Leisure Time: How to provide meaningful entertainment

Balancing the recreational needs of residents can be challenging at the best of times. You must recognise and cater to a wide range of abilities and an equally wide range of interests.

Some residents in care homes are up for anything. These are the folks who are often front and centre no matter what entertainment is on offer. Luring the shy or more cynical of your residents from the comfort of their rooms is a bigger challenge. However, when the entertainment hits the right spot, it can be so much more satisfying for all.  

Here are our five tips for helping residents make the most of their leisure time.

1) Let’s get Physical

Setting aside an hour each week for physical activity can be a great way to keep your residents active and entertained. Even for those who physically can’t or don’t want to get up and give it a go, watching fellow residents moving and grooving makes for a fun hour.

It’s also helpful to switch up the games or sports played. Try skittles one week, with two teams competing for extra laughs. Another option, bring in an 80s-styled aerobics instructor (or have one of the team dress up as one) and lead the willing through some gentle moves.

2) Sharing is Caring

Sharing the stories of yesteryear can be fulfilling for both the speaker and the listener. Using a “stage manager” to keep your residents on topic, have them present a ‘Ted Talk’ style speech. This provides residents with the opportunity to share their life with an appreciative audience.

As well as providing entertainment on the day, this will also help those participating with something to think about in the days prior as they plan their talk and gather their props.

3) Passion Projects

Tap into the past passions and hobbies of residents with special interest groups. Set up book group meetings, art sessions, and music hour.

For the more able book group, ask for suggestions for reading with monthly meetings to discuss. For the less able, it might become a time to sit together and listen to an audiobook.

Art sessions could include a visiting artist to talk about their process, or you can simply provide materials and let the magic happen on paper or canvas. When people age it’s easy to forget they once had hobbies – sometimes this is the best time to bring them back.

4) Games Night

Games do double duty for care home residents – providing social opportunities while also helping with cognitive function. Dementia-friendly versions of group games are available for those who struggle with memory, such as animals or playing card bingo.

Another easy way to organise games time for more able residents is to set out many different board and card games on tables around the lounge – It’s helpful that there are now an incredible number of games available.

5) Laughter as Medicine

Why not look around for a local comedian to visit for a special comedy session at your care home? Provided the jokes are delivered with the audience in mind there should be plenty of laughs to be had, which will help entertain both staff and residents.

For an easier option, an in-house comedy night may be the ticket. Keen residents and staff can stand up and offer their favourite jokes (or put together a set). Even if everyone has heard them before, their best tall tale can be a source of great pride for many residents.

Keep these guidelines front of mind when it comes to engaging residents and planning events:

• Don’t pressure residents into anything. Even if they are keen one week, they may not feel up to it the next.

• Not every idea will fly so be prepared for flops. Sometimes your art session will be full of Picassos, others it may be just you and your paintbrush.

• Props help to keep residents engaged. Placing fidget toys or puzzles on the tables for seated and listening activities may help keep everyone focused.

• Snacks can also bolster numbers. Provide cake (or something similar and appropriate) at each session and word will get around.