8 Summer Activities for Nursing Facility Residents

For most people, summer is synonymous with fun-filled days and exciting nights, especially in a tourist haven like San Diego. But squeezing the most out of summer can be challenging for nursing facility residents, whether they are receiving short-term or long-term care. Meaningful activities are crucial to preserving a high quality of life, and nursing facility activities that reach beyond the basics (bingo, crafts, board games, etc.) have the best chance of providing the emotional and social support that are necessary supplements to rehabilitative medical care.

Because some nursing facility residents might have limited physical or cognitive abilities, the most effective—and fun—group activities are structured such that all residents are included, whether they participate or just observe. For some examples, here are 8 great nursing facility activities for summer:

1. “Drive-in” movie

For nursing facility residents of a certain age, drive-in theaters are reminiscent of summer fun, first dates, and even first kisses. Nursing facilities can recreate the experience on a warm summer night with lawn chairs instead of cars, a white sheet hung on an outdoor wall in place of a movie screen, and a rented projector. As for the movie, black-and-white classics are always a great choice, but newer films that residents might have missed in the theaters are a wonderful option as well.

2. Garden party

Beautiful summer weather means the perfect opportunity for an old-fashioned garden party. Nursing facility staff members can set up tables with decorative coverings and vases with flowers, and offer fancy sweets, savory snacks, and refreshing ice-cold beverages. Activities may include dancing, flower-arranging competitions, or decorating straw hats with flowers, ribbons, feathers, and beads.

3. Kite flying

If you think kites are for kids, you must not be aware of the many adult kite-flying competitions that take place across the world. Kite flying is fun and peaceful, and kites are inexpensive and widely available at most discount stores and drugstores. All that’s required to fly them is a wide-open space and a little wind. Whether residents are participating or observing, the rainbow of beautiful flying colors can transport them back to the lazy summer days of childhood.

4. Hawaiian luau

A trip to the beach might not be feasible for nursing facility residents, so why not bring the beach to them? Residents can wear leis, dance to music by Don Ho, and feast on traditional Hawaiian luau food like roast pork, teriyaki chicken, and fruit kebabs. Other fun activities include setting up plastic kiddie pools full of damp sand and offering a variety of sand castle molds, or bringing in a professional hula dancer to teach residents some moves.

5. Karaoke

There’s no such thing as bad singing if it comes from the heart, and karaoke nights are a great way to allow residents to let loose and show off their personality. Song choices should span decades to include everyone’s preferences; songs by Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and Carole King are popular favorites. Activity directors can set up the event as a free-for-all, or structure it more like an “American Idol” type of competition, which is a blast for participants and observers alike.

6. Prom night

Although high school proms typically take place in late spring, warm summer nights are perfect for an outdoor dance under the stars. Some local thrift stores may be willing to donate gowns and suits to the nursing facility, and local salons may offer the services of a few stylists to provide prom-worthy hair and makeup. To complete the theme, set up a prom photo area with a sparkly backdrop and print out copies for residents to keep.

7. Ice cream social

Ice cream socials might be a bit old fashioned, but who doesn’t love ice cream in the summer? Nursing facilities can offer a variety of ice cream flavors, as well as low fat, sugar-free, lactose-free and vegan options to accommodate residents’ nutritional requirements. And don’t forget all the toppings: hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, cherries, sprinkles, peanuts, mini marshmallows, and anything else that would make a delicious sundae. 

8. Scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are a great physical and cognitive activity for nursing facility residents, and they tend to bring out the competitive spirit in most players. Scavenger hunts involve teams with instructions and a list of clues, which send them racing to find the same or different items before the other teams do. Prizes can be awarded to the winners, and residents who aren’t able to participate in the actual hunt can help devise the clues.

Rehabilitative care for optimal health and quality of life

If you are looking for a nursing facility in San Diego, Bella Vista Health Center offers short and long-term rehabilitative care with programs designed to empower our residents to reach their maximum potential. Our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility in Lemon Grove features a wide range of amenities, including fun activities, nutritious meals, and convenient concierge services. 
At Bella Vista Health Center, we take a holistic approach to wellness that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about our facility and rehabilitation programs, give us a call at (619) 644-1000 or fill out our form to schedule a tour.
 

Top Qualities of a Great Health Center

Searching for a quality health care center or nursing home probably feels like a daunting task before you’ve even gotten started.  We understand. This is, after all, about your health or the health of your loved one—and what could be more important? 

All nursing facilities are unique in their own ways, of course, but there are some top qualities that all the best health care centers share. Here’s what to look for when starting your search for an assisted living facility that will be a temporary or permanent new home:

Respect for residents

When you tour a prospective nursing facility, take plenty of time to observe interactions between residents and staff. Residents should always be treated with respect, regardless of their physical or mental condition. Staff members should be friendly and supportive while providing care, and respect residents’ privacy by knocking on doors before entering and clearly communicating before all procedures. Even if you don’t get a chance to glimpse caretaking in progress, note the staff’s general attitude. Are they happy? If not, that should be a red flag. Unhappy caretakers won’t be able to provide residents with the “happy home” atmosphere they deserve. 

Respect for choices

Residents should be able to make their own choices, such as when they can sleep (no set bedtimes or wake-up times) or what they can wear. Even meal location should be a choice, as some residents might enjoy eating in a large cafeteria setting, while others might prefer to eat alone in their room. Group and individual activities should be options, not mandatory, and socialization should never be forced.

Comfortable surroundings and amenities

In addition to enjoying pleasant, well-kept décor in the common areas of the facility, residents should be able to give their rooms a taste of home with knick-knacks, artwork, framed photos, quilts, and small furnishings. Another way quality nursing homes help residents feel comfortable in their new living situation is by providing extra amenities like salon services and computer stations with Internet access.

Flexible and extended visiting hours

While rigid visiting hours are common in hospital settings, quality nursing facilities should have flexible visiting hours to accommodate the varying schedules of loved ones. Transparency is also important. A truly top-notch facility should have a “drop in anytime” policy. 

Well-balanced, tasty meals

The best way to determine the quality of food at a prospective nursing home is to sample one of their meals. But taste isn’t everything—nursing home staff should also monitor the nutritional intake of each resident and notify family or doctors if there is any difficulty eating or a drop in appetite. The best health care centers also offer special meals to accommodate residents’ health problems (allergies and medical conditions), diet preferences (vegetarian or vegan), and religious needs.

Plentiful and meaningful activities

Going far beyond Bingo night, great nursing homes offer a variety of social, physical, creative, and educational activities that will appeal to all residents. Planned group activities for outside events should also be offered, along with interaction with community groups that bring pets to the facility, perform music, or offer specialized activities, such as yoga and meditation. Another way to involve residents is to provide them with opportunities to contribute to the community, such as reading to other residents or helping to deliver the mail.

5-Star care in a 5-Star facility

At Bella Vista Health Center, we create a comfortable and nurturing atmosphere focused on empowering every patient who walks through the door of our 5-Star facility. In addition to the highest standard of care, we provide nutritious meals, activities to raise spirits, salon services, free concierge services, 24/7 visiting hours, and much more. If you or a loved one is considering residency or needs temporary care to recover from injury or illness, call us at 619-644-1000 or fill out our Contact Form to set up a tour of our beautifully remodeled Lemon Grove facility.
 

How to Help Your Loved One Through Therapy

For people recovering from injury or surgery, or coping with chronic disorders such as arthritis and rheumatism, physical therapy can be extremely beneficial. In fact, one of the only downsides to physical therapy is the time it takes to achieve results. Building strength and improving mobility often require months of treatment and plenty of patience, which is why it’s so important for physical therapy patients to have a support system in place.

If a loved one under your care is undergoing physical therapy, there are several ways you can offer assistance and encouragement. Here are few things to keep in mind:

Physical therapy is a rollercoaster

A common misconception of physical therapy is that it provides gradual, consistent results. But it’s normal for patients to experience ups and downs during treatment, making significant gains one day only to feel like you’re sliding backward the next. But unlike actual roller coasters, physical therapy progress should follow an overall upward slope, so if there isn’t steady improvement over time, you’ll need to discuss it with your loved one’s doctor.

Physical therapy goals should be realistic

Especially for elderly patients, it’s important to set realistic goals that take into account age-related limitations. For example, if your loved one was able to walk 50 feet with a rolling walker prior to an injury or surgery, their goals should remain in that vicinity. One of the best and most realistic goals is regaining independence—the more your loved one can do on their own, the more confident they’ll feel during treatment.

Physical therapy is emotionally demanding

In addition to the physical demands of your loved one’s treatment, recovery can take an emotional toll as well. Try to be understanding and listen to their frustrations and concerns. Sometimes simply letting someone vent can be an immense relief. Of course, there’s a difference between occasional venting and maintaining a consistently negative attitude, so if you feel your loved one’s emotional demands are more than you’re qualified to deal with, it might be worth looking into other forms of therapy as well.

Physical therapy requires homework

In addition to ensuring your loved one attends all physical therapy sessions, it’s important to motivate and assist them with their “homework,” which will usually consist of simple, physician-prescribed exercises that can be done regularly at home in between therapy appointments. Following the regimen will not only make appointments more productive, but it may also even speed up recovery time.

Physical therapy victories are worth celebrating

Understanding the ups and downs of the recovery process, setting realistic goals, and keeping expectations measured are only half of the equation when it comes to supporting your loved one through physical therapy. Maintaining a positive attitude is the other half—especially celebrating progress, no matter how minimal. Each literal or metaphorical step forward is a victory worth celebrating. And those celebrations will aid in motivation as well.

Let Bella Vista Health Center help 

The best thing you can do for a loved one in need of physical therapy is helping them find the best facility available. At Bella Vista Health Center, we offer an individual patient-centered approach to treatment that truly focuses on each patient’s needs. Contact us today for more information about our services, or drop by and see us in Lemon Grove. We look forward to joining your support team and aiding your loved one through recovery.