Care home managers
Why it’s important to embed activity in care homes
Activity helps to sustain our physical and mental health, so it is important that older people in care homes are offered opportunities to participate in activities and interests that are meaningful to them (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2013).[1] Creating a social environment that is welcoming to visitors encourages families and friends of residents to positively take part in the life of the home.
Maintaining life skills can help to reduce a resident’s dependency on staff. It eases the transition stage and reduces the risk of people becoming depressed.
An environment in which people are meaningfully occupied can also help improve staff satisfaction, increase a sense of shared responsibility, and encourage confidence in staff to contribute ideas and think creatively.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013) Mental wellbeing of older people in care homes. Quality standard [QS50]. London: NICE.