Unexpected Delight – 4 Ways To Go Beyond The Everyday For Residents

Yes, routine is vital in aged care – but that doesn’t mean there can’t be spontaneity and fun. After all, everyone loves a nice surprise every now and then. Why should your residents be any different?

Here are 4 wonderful ways to deliver a few unexpected delights to brighten up the day for your residents.

1. A positive frame of mind

You may notice that a resident has a favourite loose photo or image on their phone they are particularly proud of. Why not go the extra mile and put it in a frame and give them the chance to see that photo every day?

Space is often at a premium in bedrooms so a frame to hang on the wall is a delightful way for seniors to keep their loved ones in constant sight. Frames are relatively inexpensive and can be bought in bulk too. So you can have a supply ready for when you need them. Imagine their joy as they walk into the room and find a treasured image hanging on the wall.

If you can’t do this with photos then a print or painting works as well. Homeware stores often sell inexpensive prints either in frames or on canvas. Whether it’s a landscape or something more abstract this can be an attractive way to brighten up the white walls.

2. A turn of events

Everyone loves an excuse to celebrate every now and then. So, next time there is a sporting event on TV, make an occasion of it. It could be any event, whether it’s sports or a royal wedding. Surprise your residents with some paraphernalia and make it fun, be it with flags, face paint, or other fun items.

If you’d prefer an event that doesn’t involve TV, create your own. Poetry readings, author events, or guest speakers are great reasons to make an occasion of it and break the routine. Ask around the local community or library for someone who fits the bill. You may even have someone in-house who is a writer, poet, or has a secret area of expertise.

3. Winter warmers

On cooler days it can be hard to get outside for exercise or walks in the garden. This is a good time to get creative and make indoors interesting. A cosy, comfortable space indoors is always welcome.

Provide generous amounts of blankets in bedrooms and communal spaces to add a sense of homeliness. A stylish selection of blankets will do wonders to brighten up the winter blues. And for those residents who love to sit outside no matter what the weather, a sumptuous blanket to wrap around them is a wonderful way to make their sojourn last a little longer.

In the bedrooms, a luxurious bed scarf is a perfect way to add warmth in look and feel. Soft and inviting, our bed scarves (or coverlet) dress up any bed. They can also be easily taken off the bed and used to wrap up in while sitting elsewhere. It’s why our bed scarves are consistently popular in aged care – they’re lightweight, stain-resistant and super-cosy.

4. Party animals

We have written about the benefits of pets in aged care facilities before and, yes, we have to include them in this list too. That’s because we know how much joy animals bring. The arrival of animal companionship is always a welcome surprise for rest-home residents. Spending time with a furry friend is an almost-surefire way to add joy to anyone’s day.

Sticking with the animal theme, we also love the idea of bird feeders. Surprise residents with a delivery of bird feeders to hang by main buildings or in the garden. Feeders positioned close to window seating provide a wonderful way to stay connected with nature even if the temperature means traveling outside isn’t always possible.

If you’ve had success with pet days, don’t stop there. Have a think about what other themed days you could create for residents. Why not set up a cooking demonstration day? If this is viable some residents may appreciate the chance to get in the kitchen to learn new recipes and prepare a special lunch or brunch.

Other events could include craft or art days. Sewing, painting, crocheting, and leather-craft are often popular among aged care residents, making them a perfect theme to focus on. Not only is this a great form of entertainment and a way to learn new skills but crafting also helps manual dexterity and cognitive function. There is a sense of achievement gained by crafting something from scratch that goes a long way to maintaining or improving the mindset.

It can be easy to get stuck in routine. Yet with a little creative thinking and a sense of fun, it doesn’t take much work to shake things up. You may be surprised by how much joy it brings to everyone in the rest home, staff included.