In a care home, it is important to prevent each day from becoming boring for residents in care homes. Therefore, regularly organising activities, getting outside, and socialising are great ways to avoid this. With Summer just around the corner, there are more opportunities to get outside. So, we have developed a guide on how residents in care homes can make the most of the sun.
Benefits of Getting Outside for Residents in Care Homes
There are many easy ways to do this, such as setting up a garden area, taking walks around the block, or organising group outings to nearby parks or nature trails.
Encouraging residents to get outside and enjoy the fresh air is a great way to promote their physical and mental health. Not only can outdoor activities help residents stay active and engaged, but they also provide an opportunity for residents to connect with their families.
Studies have shown that spending time outdoors has many health benefits, including improved mood, reduced stress levels, and better sleep quality. Additionally, engaging in regular physical activity can lower the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. All of these lead to an improved quality of life for residents in care homes. Therefore, their experience is improved and as a result, their families can relax with peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is being cared for.
Many care homes are now incorporating more outdoor activities into their residents’ daily routines. They might plant a garden or set up a small patio area where residents can relax or socialise with friends and family members. Other caregivers may organise group walks around the neighbourhood or carry out regular outings to nearby parks or nature trails.
Outdoor Family Visits
Assuming your loved one is happy to, visiting families are welcome to take residents outside when they come to visit. This could simply be a walk around the grounds of the home, or going further afield to enjoy nature. This is a great way to get some fresh air and spend time together. Not only does everyone experience the benefits of being outside, but it also provides families and residents with a conversation piece. This avoids any awkwardness or anxiety that may be encountered when meeting indoors. Furthermore, this gives the opportunity for young children to stretch their legs and enjoy their time with their loved ones.
Excursions
On occasion, excursions are organised for residents in care homes. This allows residents to explore different places and bond with their fellow residents. Family members are also often welcome to join in the fun!
Some popular excursion destinations include:
- The park
- The beach
- The zoo
- A nature reserve
- A historic site
- An art gallery or museum
Organising an excursion can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the residents enjoying themselves. Excursions can massively benefit residents in care homes for a variety of reasons. They can improve residents’ mental and physical wellbeing, social skills and overall quality of life. Excursions provide the opportunity for residents to get away from the home environment and explore the world around them. They also give residents a chance to meet new people and make new friends, as well as socialise with the residents in their care home. This provides conversation pieces for them when they return to the home and only enhances their experience. Excursions are a great way to make a day fun and exciting, as well as providing residents in care homes with opportunities to socialise or experience something different.
Sitting Outside
Sometimes, there is nothing better than sitting outside and relaxing in the sun. This is especially true for residents in care homes, who may not often get the opportunity to go outside. Residents love being able to sit outside and take in the fresh air, and they often find that it helps them to relax and feel more comfortable. Families also enjoy spending time outside with their loved ones, and they often find that it is a great way to bond with each other. Whilst some residents may prefer to get out and about, for some, relaxing outside is just right.
Getting Residents Outside at Hilgay Care Home
At Hilgay Care Home, we welcome families to take their loved ones out of the care home. We believe that this has many benefits for residents in care homes, as well as their families. Residents in care homes can often feel isolated and lonely. Going outside and spending time with family can help reduce these feelings.
At Hilgay, we also have plenty of benches and tables around our beautiful garden, to allow residents and families to sit outside and enjoy the outdoors. Whether this is with their families, or other residents, we ensure that our residents get every opportunity to enjoy our beautiful gardens. This ensures that residents in care homes do not feel trapped in the home itself.
Furthermore, at Hilgay, we regularly organise activities outside for our residents. These activities include outdoor games, gardening, tea parties and nature walks. Our residents love spending time outside in the fresh air and beautiful gardens. We are committed to ensuring that they can do this as often as possible.
When organising an excursion for residents in a care home, it is important that all activities are inclusive. Choosing a destination that is suitable for the residents’ needs and abilities is important to us. Residents in care homes have a variety of needs, and excursions must be inclusive to all in the home. Therefore, it is important to ensure that everything welcomes anyone who would like to come along. At Hilgay Care Home, we ensure that each activity is suitable for each of our residents. By guaranteeing the location, transport, and activities are suitable for all involved, we ensure that each resident has the opportunity to join us.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about our home or services and care plans, contact us today on 01444 244756 or info@hilgaycarehome.co.uk. Alternatively, schedule a visit to our home, and check it out for yourself. Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.