There is something of an image that when somebody goes into either an assisted living facility or a nursing home, they will be sitting around doing nothing for the majority of their time. This is not a fair image, and this image can discourage many relatives from seeking out this kind of residential help, even if they desperately need it and their relative needs additional care.
It will vary depending on the specialty of the assisted living facility or the nursing home that a relative is in, but the majority of these residential homes offer a range of activities in which all of their residents can participate.
Common Activities To See At Assisted Living Facilities
So, with that in mind, here are 5 of the most common activities that you may see at an assisted living facility.
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Gardening
Gardening may be difficult for those who have limited mobility, but it is seeing a resurgence in recent years. Brandywine assisted living Haddonfield is one of the many establishments that encourages the people under their care to engage in this activity. Not only does it get them out and about breathing in the fresh air and engaging in nature, but it also helps them to keep their wrists supple and get some gentle exercise. Some facilities even allow their residents to grow crops like tomatoes, and this activity of growing crops can be exceedingly fun!
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Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy or pet therapy offers an opportunity for therapy pets to help calm or alleviate stress, especially for those who may be suffering from ailments such as dementia. These pets will be specifically trained to cope in this setting. All animals used for animal-assisted therapy will have a handler along with them, so your relative will not be bitten or injured. If your elderly relative loves pets, then this is the activity that they will most likely want to engage in.
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Swimming
Swimming is a great way for elderly people to exercise. It’s fun, and it takes the strain off of their muscles and joints while also helping them to build muscle and maintain flexibility in their arms and legs. Some assisted living facilities will have pools as part of their overall building. In contrast, others may require their staff to travel with your relative to go to a swimming pool.
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Music Therapy
Music therapy does not necessarily mean singing. However, that can be part of it. Rather, this is used to help keep patients who have dementia calm and happy. It usually involves playing gentle music as they eat or engage in other relaxing activities. This can help to boost their mood, and as such, it is offered by the majority of nursing homes and assisted living settings.
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Zumba or Yoga
Both Zumba and yoga provide coordination and also offer cardiovascular benefits without putting too much pressure or requiring specialized equipment like a swimming pool. Of course, engagement in these activities will vary depending on the level of movement and mobility that your relative has.
But when choosing an assisted living facility for your relative, always be sure that they have a timetable of events. That all of those who live there can engage in. This will help decrease mental decline and will help to keep them busy.
