Activities and outings

Activity plans are created by our lifestyle teams to incorporate the favourite hobbies and pastimes of residents living in the home. By getting to know individuals’ likes and dislikes, colleagues can provide person-centred  activities that help residents to live fulfilling lives.

Residents who have a keen interest in gardening, for example, are supported to help with pruning and weeding, while those who enjoy keeping busy in the kitchen can get involved with baking sessions or meal preparation.

Meaningful activities are activities that help older people to enjoy their time and connect with others by doing the things they love. They’re tailored to individuals’ hobbies, interests and level of need. 

Examples of meaningful activities are:

• Revisiting favourite hobbies and past times, such as knitting, drawing or other crafts
• Spending time outdoors in nature, such as birdwatching, walking or gardening
• Listening to favourite music or watching a much-loved film to evoke memories
• Cooking a favourite meal to reminisce, stay active and encourage those with little appetite to eat
• Maintaining a sense of purpose by living as independently as possible, for example helping with the washing up or leading a class
• Achieving lifelong goals through our wishing tree initiative

Activities provide residents living in a care home with opportunities to stay mentally and physically fit, to meet people and try new things and to find purpose doing what they love. Whether it’s live entertainment, an outing to a special place or simply a chat with a carer, activities make life in a care home more enjoyable and meaningful.

For people living with dementia, activities offer them an opportunity to reminisce about their past and relive special memories. Activities can also help people living with dementia to have more meaningful conversations or provide them with an opportunity to relax.

At Care UK, we know it’s important for older people to stay active and engaged with their favourite past-times and to also have the opportunity to try new things. 

Activities that are focused on reminiscence can help stimulate memories for older people, especially for those living with dementia. Gentle exercises can help them stay fit and active, and arts and crafts activities, such as knitting, drawing or flower arranging, can help them maintain motor skills and coordination.

Puzzles and quizzes can also be beneficial by boosting cognitive function, while group activities like gardening and games offer opportunities for social connection.

Looking for more ideas? Try these 11 activities to do with your loved one as they age.

The lifestyle teams in Care UK homes are passionate about offering residents a wide range of engaging activities to enjoy. These include:

• Reminiscence-themed activities, like music sessions and baking
• Gentle exercise classes, such as dancing, yoga and seated exercise
• Arts and crafts
• Games, puzzles and quizzes
• Gardening 
• Visits from entertainers
• Outings

As part of our person-centred care approach, we get to know individuals and tailor activities to their hobbies and interests, so no two care homes offer the same activity plan.