How to Plan Successful Activity Programs for Senior Care
A successful activity program starts with knowing the people you support.
Use assessments to understand each person's interests, abilities, preferences, and goals, then plan meaningful activities that promote wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.
Related: The Importance of Client Assessment
What Makes a Good Activity Program?
A good activity program offers a balanced mix of experiences that support physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. The most successful activities are those that reflect the person's interests, abilities, and life experiences, rather than simply keeping them occupied.
An effective activity program includes:
- Physical activity
- Sensory experiences
- Cognitive stimulation
- Social interaction
- Emotional and spiritual wellbeing
Activities should also encourage choice, independence, purpose, and opportunities for success.
Related: How to Motivate Residents in Long Term Care
Use Person-Centered Care
Person-centered care should guide every activity you plan. This means recognising each person as an individual and adapting activities to suit their preferences, strengths, abilities, and support needs.
Get to know each person by learning about:
- Their interests, hobbies, and favourite activities
- Their family, work, and life experiences
- Their cultural background and religious or spiritual beliefs
- Their daily routines and personal preferences
When planning activities, consider:
- What they enjoy doing
- What helps them feel included
- Activities that build confidence and self-esteem
- Opportunities to make choices and maintain independence
If a person is living with dementia, focus on their current abilities and adapt activities to build on their strengths. Familiar routines and meaningful one-on-one interactions can help promote engagement and wellbeing.
Although group programs cannot always be tailored to every individual, offering choices, adapting activities, and encouraging participation in different ways helps create a more person-centered program.
Related: Person Centered Care and Identifying Needs
Activities to Include in Your Program
A balanced program should include both group and individual activities. Start with a core program and adapt activities where needed to encourage participation and meet individual preferences.
Group Activities
- Chair exercises
- Walking groups (if applicable)
- Balloon games
- Quizzes and trivia
- Dominoes and board games
- Arts and crafts
- Painting
- Cooking or baking
- Gardening
- Reminiscence sessions
- Sing-alongs
- Live entertainment
- Movie afternoons
- Community outings
- Barbecues or picnics
- Intergenerational visits
- Religious or spiritual services
Related: 10 ways to Increase Participation of Programmed Activities
Individual Activities
- Beauty or grooming sessions
- Walking
- Household tasks
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Listening to music
- Reading together
- Letter writing
- Conversation and companionship
- One-on-one visits
- Hand massage where appropriate
- Life story or memory book activities
Related: Tips for One-on-One Visits with Seniors
Other Activity Resources
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Explore professional activity resources for new ideas, and learn from colleagues by sharing activities that have been successful in your own settings. Seasonal celebrations and community events can also provide inspiration throughout the year.
Don't Be Afraid to Try
No activity program is perfect, and not every activity will suit every person. Review your program regularly, ask for feedback from the people you support, families, and colleagues, and make changes as people's needs and interests evolve.
Great activity programs evolve over time. By observing what works, adapting activities, and keeping the individual at the centre of every decision, you can create meaningful experiences that enhance wellbeing and quality of life.
15 Uplifting Activities for People with Limited Mobility
Planning out activities for a group can take time, research, and creativity. This article has great tips for writing successful activity programs for senior care. Thanks for sharing!
Am a new lifestyle coordinator just need to gather activities as I have been nursing for 20 years. Especially people with dementia. Please help
Hi Sol
Be sure to follow the advice in this article
Especially important is doing things that the residents like and their abilities
Here are some sample calendars that will help you
https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-weekly-program-for-memory-care/3281/
https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
I especially like to do music activities because they tap into many parts of the brain
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
Let me know if you need more help
Hi. I just landed a job as a Activity Coordinator. First time in the field. I was searching and looking for ways to engage the residents with different activities. I'm so happy I found this site. You ladies are very helpful. I also use to work at a assisted living facility as a house keeper and I saw all the things the residents would do. I wanted to put out there, there's a game called music bingo as well. The residents really love that game. They win prizes of course. Nothing to big. Lotion, chocolate,soap ect, I thought this would be helpful as well. For those of you whose looking for other games they can play. I would most definitely be using this site a lot. Again thank you ladies for the information
Hello hoping you can help I am completing a business course for uni, I have chosen to create a activity Co. Ordinator position in my make believe rest home. Could you please advise me on costing? For up to around fifty residents please
Many hopes Claire Rimmer
Hi Claire
Cost is variable
I do not know where you are from because that makes a big difference
Some homes are private pay which means the residencs pay for all their care
Most homes however have a mixture some residents are on Medicare or some thing similar some are on Medicaid or something similar and there are probably a few private pay
The daily cost varies pending on where are you are from
Sam have private rooms which of course changes the cost
If you are from the US I can probably help with best but other countries have similar costs
It also depends on if a home is for profit or nonprofit
Depends on how many staff members the home has and the needs of the residents
Extremely a very nice information about writing successful activity programs for seniors. Thanks for sharing...
Some good ideas the simpler the better
Thanks for your feedback Caron!
I wonder where I can get face to face training for my Leisure and lifestyle staff and recreation activity officers please.
Great idea's!!! So glad that iv'e found this site, i love it,also the idea from Anne B is great
Thanks so much for your feedback Terri!
Bingo suitable for Alzheimers
I made up a bingo that goes up to the number 40. I printed A5 size bingo cards and laminated them so clients can mark them with markers and they are easily wiped clean. the bingo balls are from a children's plastic ball pool large and colourful. I wrote the number on each ball with permanent marker. some times each client picks out a ball and sometimes if we have a client who can't play the bingo they will pick out the balls. we say rhymes/ songs associated with each number, ie 3 three blind mice....., 16 one client sings "sweet sixteen and never been kissed" and so on. everyone helps wipe the cards afterwards. The game is short and the clients don't lose interest so we often play two or three games.
I love this idea but can you explain how many numbers on each A5 card? Also with the children's colourful balls what size, do you have 40 of them & what do you place them in? With the markers do you use whiteboard markers? Sorry for the questions I want to do it right
Love your DIY bingo game Anne, thanks for sharing. This sounds wonderful!
We have a male resident who was a very keen gardener, so we have planted tomatoes, and he has taken over collecting them every day, plus watering them.
he and another resident, were given the task of potting up the tomato plants for our market day, and working on the stall selling them! was a real win win!!
I'm so glad I found this site! It's great to be able to share all our ideas around with others that work in the same industry and how wonderful, that our clients benefit from it!
thank you for your heip
Hi Norene, one good card game is the 'Memory Game". Start with only two suits, say Hearts and Spades. Choose 40 cards; 20 of each suit, give to one participant to shuffle and then to another to cut. Give the cut parts to two participants to place on the table upside down. Each participant has a go at turning 2 cards up; if they match he keeps them; if not cards are returned to upside down place. The next player does the same and tries to remember where the previous cards were. Play until all cards are gone. The winner is the player with the most cards. I hope your clients like this. It is a very popular game. Good luck!
Card bingo......have 2 packs, one (large size to enhance positive outcomes) for caller and the second pack divided between players. Modify depending on level of cognition/dementia but even those quite impaired can manage 8-10.
Staff assist with residents to sort their own (each will have a natural preference)
Caller starts with cards face down and calls what it is...eight of hearts whilst allowing residents to see the card and compare/pick out their card.
All cards turned over (face down or put aside) is the winner; however to promote success call out until last card is turned over.
Great game, no cost. Residents often help each other so good social interaction as well as coordination
, thinking, strategy etc
Hi everyone you all have great ideas.
Anyone got any new simple card games for low care residents.
thank you for this informative information, I am a trained art therapist working within aged care. My vision is to bring sensory programs and well-being prohrams, to people living with dimentia and pyscical disabilities using 'person centred approach'.
thanks this has given me same help as im still studying leisure and lifestyle its so hard to get them motivated thanks again janet