Family involvement plays a crucial role in enriching the lives of seniors in care homes. Staying connected with loved ones brings comfort, strengthens relationships, and enhances residents’ mental and emotional wellbeing. This article explores the benefits of family involvement and provides ideas for family members to participate in activities with their loved ones in care homes, helping create lasting memories and fostering a sense of belonging.
Benefits of family involvement in care home activities
Strengthened family bonds
Participating in care home activities helps maintain close connections between family members and residents, reinforcing a sense of family unity.
Spending time together in a relaxed, activity-focused environment allows for meaningful interactions, bringing joy and comfort to seniors.
Enhanced mental and emotional wellbeing
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Family involvement can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, as residents feel supported and valued by their loved ones.
Regular interaction with family members has been shown to improve mood, cognitive engagement, and overall happiness in seniors.
Socialization and cognitive stimulation
Engaging in activities with family members provides seniors with cognitive and social stimulation, supporting mental health and memory.
Family members can also bring fresh conversations, stories, and news, keeping residents mentally engaged and fostering a sense of curiosity.
Increased physical activity
Family-involved activities often include gentle movement, which can help seniors stay physically active. Even a short walk with a family member can have physical and mental benefits.
Positive impact on staff and environment
Family engagement creates a welcoming atmosphere within the care home, which benefits not only the residents but also the staff and the overall community spirit.
Ideas for family involvement in care home activities
Here are some simple, enjoyable ways for families to participate in care home activities, helping to bring joy and a sense of connection to residents.
1. Family game days
- Activity: Host a family game day where family members can join residents in classic games like bingo, Scrabble, or card games.
- Benefits: Games stimulate cognitive skills, promote laughter, and encourage social interaction. This friendly competition creates shared memories and enjoyable bonding moments.
- Tips for success: Choose games that are easy for all ages and offer a few options to ensure everyone can participate comfortably.
2. Seasonal crafting workshops
- Activity: Plan seasonal crafting activities like decorating pumpkins, making holiday ornaments, or creating flower arrangements.
- Benefits: Crafting allows family members to work alongside residents, creating tangible memories and keepsakes. This hands-on activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
- Tips for success: Bring simple crafting supplies, like stickers, ribbons, and stencils. Ensure that the projects are manageable for all skill levels, and consider showcasing the finished crafts in residents’ rooms or common areas.
3. Memory sharing circles
- Activity: Organize a “memory circle” where residents and family members share stories from the past, whether about family traditions, travels, or hobbies.
- Benefits: Storytelling helps residents reminisce and provides an opportunity for family members to learn more about their loved ones’ experiences.
- Tips for Success: Encourage everyone to bring photos or personal mementos that can add to the story. For residents with memory challenges, prompts and photos can help spark memories and conversation.
4. Music and sing-along sessions
- Activity: Create a sing-along session featuring songs from different eras, genres, or family favorites. Family members and residents can sing together, creating a lively, joyful environment.
- Benefits: Music is known to enhance mood and evoke positive memories, especially for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Singing with family promotes bonding and creates shared experiences.
- Tips for success: Choose familiar songs and provide lyric sheets. Family members who play instruments can bring them along to add a special touch to the session.
5. Nature walks and garden visits
- Activity: For care homes with gardens or outdoor spaces, invite family members to join their loved ones for a gentle walk, enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings.
- Benefits: Nature walks provide physical activity, sensory stimulation, and a peaceful environment for conversation. Spending time outdoors with family can lift residents’ spirits and provide a refreshing break.
- Tips for success: Choose a comfortable pace and bring along blankets or hats if needed. Families can also help with light gardening activities, like watering plants, if the resident enjoys gardening.
6. Book club or storytime
- Activity: Start a family book club or set up a storytime where family members can read aloud to residents, sharing a favorite book or short story.
- Benefits: Reading together stimulates the mind and creates moments of connection. For residents who may struggle with vision or concentration, listening to a family member read can be a comforting experience.
- Tips for success: Choose books or stories that are easy to follow and enjoyable. Families can also bring favorite books from their childhood to share meaningful memories.
7. Cooking or baking together
- Activity: Organize a baking session where family members and residents can prepare simple treats like cookies, cupcakes, or even tea sandwiches together.
- Benefits: Cooking is a sensory activity that encourages teamwork and provides a delicious outcome to enjoy together. For many seniors, baking can evoke fond memories of family gatherings.
- Tips for success: Use simple recipes with easy-to-follow steps. Ensure any dietary restrictions are considered, and allow residents to participate at their own pace.
8. Holiday celebrations and traditions
- Activity: Invite family members to participate in holiday-themed events like decorating for Christmas, carving pumpkins for Halloween, or organizing an Easter egg hunt.
- Benefits: Celebrating holidays together creates excitement and familiarity, adding meaning to holiday traditions. Residents feel connected to their family and enjoy the seasonal festivities.
- Tips for success: Bring along decorations, costumes, or holiday treats, and involve residents in planning. Taking photos during the celebration creates mementos to enjoy and share.
9. Life story scrapbooking
- Activity: Create a life story scrapbook with residents, where family members and residents can add photos, notes, and memorabilia.
- Benefits: Scrapbooking preserves memories and strengthens the connection between family members and residents. It also encourages conversation and reflection on meaningful moments.
- Tips for success: Provide basic scrapbooking supplies and start with simple themes, like family vacations, favorite hobbies, or milestones. Family members can add new pages each visit, making it a work in progress.
10. Movie and popcorn night
- Activity: Set up a movie night featuring classic films, family favorites, or the resident’s favorite genre. Families can join in for a cozy, relaxed evening together.
- Benefits: Watching a movie together fosters a sense of comfort and togetherness. Sharing snacks like popcorn adds to the fun, creating a movie-theater experience in the care home.
- Tips for success: Choose films with simple plots and uplifting themes. Bring extra blankets and snacks to make it a special occasion.
Tips for planning family involvement in care home activities
- Coordinate with staff: Work with care home staff to schedule family-involved activities and find times that work well for residents and families.
- Involve residents in planning: Ask residents about their favorite activities and hobbies, ensuring that planned events reflect their interests and preferences.
- Adapt activities for abilities: Select activities that are inclusive, adaptable, and enjoyable for all physical and cognitive abilities.
- Encourage regular visits: Family members visiting regularly and participating in activities can strengthen bonds and create consistency in residents’ lives.
- Capture memories: Take photos, videos, or create a scrapbook of shared moments, so residents can reflect on these memories and share them with other loved ones.
Choosing a Care Home That Embraces Family Involvement
If you’re looking for a care home that values family involvement, choose one that actively invites families to participate in activities. A care home that prioritizes family-friendly events and open communication helps create a supportive environment where residents feel connected, valued, and at home.
We are here to help you choose a care home or facility best suited to your needs. Do not hesitate to contact us on the following number: 0230 608 0055 or fill out this form.
