How to Plan Activities for Mixed-Ability Groups

Many long-term care communities include residents with a wide range of abilities.

Some are living with dementia or other forms of cognitive impairment, while others remain cognitively independent but require care because of physical disabilities, chronic illness or reduced mobility.

Planning activities that engage everyone can be challenging, but it doesn't mean residents need to be separated into different groups. With a little planning, many activities can be adapted so everyone can participate in a way that suits their abilities.

Choose Flexible Activities

The best group activities are those that can be enjoyed in different ways.

A quiz might include picture questions, multiple-choice questions, general knowledge and a few more challenging questions. Word games, puzzles and reminiscence activities can also be adapted by offering different levels of difficulty. For residents with physical limitations, consider seated versions of movement activities, larger print materials or tactile options that are easy to handle.

The goal isn't for everyone to complete the activity in the same way - it's for everyone to feel included and successful.

Encourage Everyone to Participate

One common challenge is that more capable residents can unintentionally dominate games and quizzes.

If this happens, try:

• taking turns answering
• dividing the group into small teams
• including open-ended discussion questions
• encouraging confident participants to give others time to respond
• mixing easier and more challenging questions throughout the activity.

These simple adjustments help everyone contribute while keeping the activity enjoyable for all participants.

Give Residents Meaningful Roles

Not every resident wants to participate in the same way. Some enjoy taking on a more active role.

Invite interested residents to:

• hand out materials
• read quiz questions
• keep score
• help set up activities
• organise games and puzzles
• share a hobby or special skill.

Giving residents meaningful roles encourages engagement while helping activities run more smoothly.

Offer Variety

No activity will appeal to everyone.

Alongside mixed-group activities, consider offering smaller interest-based sessions such as book clubs, gardening, current events, walking groups, crafts or community outings.

Providing a variety of activities gives residents more choice and increases the likelihood that everyone will find something they enjoy.

Final Thoughts

There is no single activity that suits every resident. The most successful activity programs are flexible, offer a variety of experiences and allow residents to participate in ways that match their interests, abilities and preferences.

Activity professionals who take the time to adapt and include every resident make a real difference to quality of life in their community.