What Activities Can You Do in a Care Home?

Scientific research shows that social, intellectual and creative pursuits can help to improve morale, mood and health. This is why meaningful activities in care homes are so vital.

Meaningful activities help care home residents develop social relationships and remain connected to the world. Every resident has unique interests and strengths, so the variety of opportunities available should reflect this. An enriched, fulfilling and contented life is vital for maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing.

Life at KYN is full of opportunities to engage the mind, body and spirit. In this guide, we’ll discuss just some of the meaningful activities that our care home residents can enjoy.

Activities for the Elderly in Care Homes

Care home activities serve a much more crucial purpose than simply passing the time. Studies show that organised activities have a plethora of health benefits, both psychological and physical. This includes improvements in mood, memory, sleep and immune system function.

Thus, good care homes offer daily opportunities to explore enriching, meaningful activities. These activities encompass a wide variety of interests, from mixology workshops to martial arts classes. Residents are free to choose programmes based on their personal interests or try something completely new.

Our Life Enrichment and Wellbeing Lead has designed an ever-evolving selection of interesting and fulfilling care home activities.

Current Affairs Club

A diverse range of clubs and societies allow residents to practise their favourite hobbies and explore new ones. They also encourage residents to meet and form friendships with others who share similar interests. 

KYN’s Current Affairs Club is a wonderful example. Here, residents explore the latest in news, politics, entertainment and culture, and discuss their views and passions. This is a valuable way to stay connected with both the local community and the wider world. 

Arts Programmes

Creative activities help to broaden the imagination, inspire the mind and improve physical and mental health. KYN residents enjoy a wide range of artistic pursuits and courses, such as:

• Still life art classes 
• Soap making
• Music lessons
• Talks and workshops from visiting artists and musicians
• Film screenings hosted in our comfortable in-house cinema
• Streamed concerts, such as ballet, classical music and opera

We encourage residents to pursue a variety of cultural and creative interests. Studies have suggested that regularly engaging the mind with creativity can lead to a longer lifespan. Even the simple act of listening to music can reduce stress levels and benefit overall health, according to research in PLOS One.

Literature Appreciation Society

The importance of regular reading can’t be understated: it offers a wealth of benefits throughout all stages of life. For example, reading has been shown to reduce stress, improve memory and vocabulary, and enhance sleep.  

Our Literature Appreciation society hosts regular reading groups where residents can explore an array of books curated by Mayfair’s Heywood Hill bookshop. Our audiobook sessions encourage residents to sit back and listen, relaxing the eyes and the mind. 

Culinary and Mixology Classes

The world of food and beverages creates many valuable opportunities to engage the senses and practise creativity. For example, our talented chefs host regular culinary demonstrations working with wholesome, flavourful, locally sourced produce.

We also offer a selection of beverage experience classes including wine tasting, tea tasting and mocktail making. Educational and entertaining, these activities broaden the mind, enrich the soul and teach new skills.

Intellectual Pursuits

Exercising the brain through mental challenges helps to keep the mind active. As we age, it’s even more crucial to engage our imagination, intellect and critical thinking skills. 

Care home residents can partake in a variety of intellectual pursuits including sudoku, word puzzles and competitive games. Our Chess Club welcomes beginners and professionals alike. We also encourage residents to recall the past in our Reminiscing Group, which aids and strengthens the memory. 

Intergenerational Visits

Visits from local schools and nurseries offer our residents the chance to share experiences with younger generations. Interacting, reading and playing with children boasts a wealth of benefits to both the mind and the soul. 

Intergenerational visits have been shown to boost care home residents’ mental health, promote social interaction and encourage physical activity. These activities also benefit the children by encouraging empathy and improving their communication and reading skills.

Nature Bathing

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, experiences of nature can have a multitude of health benefits. Being outdoors surrounded in greenery reduces stress and anxiety, improves attention and can even lower the heart rate. We encourage residents to spend daily time outdoors, connecting with the earth and embracing the elements.  

Every KYN residence features beautiful outdoor spaces such as landscaped gardens, terraces,and fruit tree orchards. Residents can take part in outdoor activities such as gardening and flower arranging to enhance the mind, body and soul.

Exercise Sessions

Exercise has a plethora of proven benefits. Regular classes help care home residents to develop an exercise routine, which is key to maintaining physical health and mental wellbeing. Our care home residents take part in slow, strengthening exercise sessions including:

• Tai chi
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Movement to music 

These activities are designed to relax the mind, feed the soul and improve mobility, stamina and coordination. 

Outings and Events

Regular outings allow care home residents to form lasting memories, foster meaningful social bonds and experience gentle exercise. 

Whether it’s a shopping trip, a live concert, a meal at a restaurant or a visit to a local beauty spot, outings are a great way for residents to stay active and engaged with the community. 

We also regularly host cultural events within the home, including live performances from musicians and comedians. 

Spa Treatments

When it comes to luxury, care homes offering spa treatments are at the forefront. An uplifting, peaceful spa session offers the opportunity to rest, relax, rejuvenate the body and revitalise the mind. 

At KYN’s luxurious in-house KYTH Spa, our therapists provide massages, reflexology and a range of other indulgent spa experiences.
Residents can also explore alternative therapies such as homeopathy, crystal healing and reiki treatments. 

Choose KYN for Exquisite Residential Care

At our Bickley care home, we’re committed to providing exquisite care with love. Our homes offer the highest standards of residential, nursing, dementia, respite and palliative care in a beautiful, comfortable and nurturing environment.

Our residents are offered a wealth of opportunities to enrich the mind, body and spirit. Our programme changes weekly and includes a wide selection of group and one-to-one activities. Residents are free to choose pursuits that appeal to them - whether they’d prefer to participate, create, watch or listen. We encourage friends and family to take part, allowing residents to share life experiences with their loved ones.

To discover our exquisite care homes, fill in our enquiry form today and request a call, visit or brochure. Alternatively, call KYN on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email us at enquiries@kyn.co.uk.