Engagement is both useful and necessary for the 800,000+ Americans who live in assisted living communities. A variety of mental and physical health advantages have been discovered for assisted living clients who participate in social activities, build strong interpersonal connections, and remain as actively involved in their own care as feasible.
Your loved ones in assisted living settings, on the other hand, may find it difficult to stay involved, especially while the COVID-19 epidemic keeps loved ones away. Let’s talk about the significance of engagement, as well as several activities that may be used to increase it in senior assisted living communities.
The article explores six ideas you will love for senior assisted living in Sanford, NC.
Themed Dinner Parties
Everyone needs to eat, so why not share a meal? Hosting themed dinner parties with various cuisines, décor, and music may make an otherwise mundane routine more enjoyable for your loved ones while also instilling a greater sense of community.
Group Exercise Classes
Physical exercise is closely associated with improved cognition in your loved ones, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. According to the Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS), it also lowers the risk of falling and enhances the likelihood of living a longer life.
Music therapy has been shown to be quite helpful. Getting your loved ones up and moving (or even participating from a wheelchair) may boost engagement and contribute to general health and well-being.
Team Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a popular team development exercise for a reason, and the same principle applies here. Clients at assisted living communities may get bored and restless as a result of being pent up and secluded. Scavenger hunts are fantastic since they may be totally tailored to your loved ones’ preferences.
For example, you may hold an “I Spy”-style treasure hunt in which your loved ones must remain seated and indicate where objects are situated in the room. Alternatively, you may conceal objects and encourage more mobile clients to look for them. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as it is enjoyable and interesting!
Multiple Learning Opportunities
Your loved ones in assisted living communities can benefit immensely from ongoing education. By giving educational opportunities, you may stimulate lifelong learning.
This is especially crucial for memory loss individuals with declining cognitive function since it keeps their minds engaged and cognitively stimulates them even when they are unable to leave the community.
Arts and Crafts Activities
Artistic activities are quite popular in assisted living communities because they allow your loved one to express their creativity and participate in something enjoyable and interactive. Painting, drawing, scrapbooking, knitting, sewing, crocheting, and jewelry-making are just a few of the arts and activities that your loved ones may enjoy—there are many more!
Movie and Game Nights
Movie and game nights are a terrific way for those in senior living to simply break up long days. Whether it’s viewing a new movie, playing a board game, or putting together a puzzle, entertaining nights like these may promote engagement and give your solitary loved ones something to look forward to.
