From flowers and buds of spring to cheerful warmth of winter, seasons provide a colourful and meaningful atmosphere. At home, your loved ones have the joy of celebrating each season throughout the year. How can the seasonal adaptations be implemented in residential care homes to make the residents feel at home?
Following the seasonal transitions through engaging activities and thoughtful adjustments in care homes can create a comfortable, joyful and safer space for all residents throughout the year.
Let’s look at how residential care homes can make the life of the residents better through seasonal activities and changes.
Bringing the Spring Renewal Indoors
Spring is the season of renewal and growth. This becomes an ideal season for refreshing the atmosphere for the residents in residential care homes. Activities that bring out the season’s energy and beauty can revitalise the resident’s life.
Gardening and Outdoor Engagement
Encourage residents to get involved in gardening. Planting flowers, herbs, vegetables in indoor or outdoor pots can create a lively atmosphere.
Organise nature walks for residents to enjoy fresh spring air and the beauty of blooming flowers. Having a sensory garden in care homes can be helpful for residents to experience different textures, scents and sights.
Creative Activities for Spring
Hosting spring activities like craft sessions can be interesting for the residents. Arranging flowers, wreaths, or making creative spring artworks can foster a joyful and collaborative community.
Creative workshops like story-writing, poetry writing can also help the residents bring back their springtime memories.
Here are some adjustments that can be followed during the spring season in care homes.
- Ensure spring cleaning to make the living spaces fresh and new.
- Manage common triggers like pollen to provide allergen-free zones.
- Switch to lighter bedding and clothing to match the season’s warm temperature.
Summer Fun and Happy Outdoors
Summer brings a wealth of possibilities for outdoor activities and social events. This is the season to encourage residents to participate and promote vibrant living in residential care homes.
Social Gatherings in Outdoor Space
The best outdoor activity to plan for summer is to organise a social gathering. Elderly residents would want to have fun and discuss their childhood memories. Planning lawn games like croquet, bean bag toss, and mini-golf can also cheer them up to join the summer fun.
Hydration and Summer Safety
Summer fun is the best way to establish and renew the resident community bonds. But Summer also comes with a lot of health and safety concerns.
To ensure that residents can join the fun without getting affected by the season’s impact, follow the below tips.
- Make sure residents are hydrated with infused water or cooling beverages to avoid cases of dehydration in summer.
- Bring appropriate dress code by providing sun hats, sun screen, and shaded seating for outdoor activities.
- Schedule activities in the mornings or evenings to avoid getting affected by the sun.
- Include a meal plan for summer that consists of seasonal fruits like watermelon, berries, and peaches.
Offer chilled dishes like salads or smoothies and include hydrating snacks.
Harvesting Joy in Autumn Comfort
Autumn’s vibrant colours and cooler temperatures make the perfect backdrop for residents in residential care home for reflection and connection. This is a time of cherished seasonal traditions and experiences for residents.
Celebrating Autumn Traditions
Autumn is the best time to organise harvest themed events like pumpkin carving or apple picking. Together in groups, residents can actively participate in events and enjoy the tasks. Care homes can promote the joy of autumn by adding seasonal bake offs like pies and cookies to the Autumn menu.
Inviting resident’s families to celebrate holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving can improve their emotional state and promote a peaceful atmosphere.
Creative Indoor Projects
Having creative sessions can be a great addition to autumn activities. Let residents be a part of the joy by making either leaf collages or wreaths. Activities like movie nights, storytelling or craft sessions keep them busy, active, and entertained throughout the season. And the most important thing, these activities are the best way to get rid of boredom.
Here are some tips to follow during autumn season in residential care home:
- Add cosy holiday decors at care homes like blankets, throw pillows and autumn centrepieces.
- Make sure adequate lighting at care homes as days get shorter during autumn.
- Get a wardrobe update and extra layers for the residents to prepare for cooler weather.
Festival Spirit in Winter
Winter is a season of joy; reflection, and a time to seek warmth in shared moments. Residential care homes can bring the magic of winter through engaging activities and seasonal comforts.
Holiday Celebrations
During holidays, there are a number of ways care homes can create a lively and vibrant atmosphere during winter. Adorn the rooms and facility with festive lights, seasonal displays and ornaments to spread the winter positivity.
Plan inclusive holiday events such as Christmas Carols, New Year parties to encourage inclusivity among the residents. Care homes can encourage the residents to share their favourite holiday traditions and memories.
Winter Days Indoor Activities
As the Winter season arrives, so do the indoor festive celebrations. From reading groups to board games, care homes can offer cosy activities to have indoor fun. Host baking workshops to make festive treats. Residents can also be provided with hot chocolates and tea stations to create a comfortable and warm atmosphere.
Here are some tips that residential care homes can follow during the winter season.
Keep warm and draft free common areas with heating solutions.
Provide non-slip rugs and footwear to residents to prevent slipping on icy days.
Ensure nutritional foods with adequate vitamin D to keep the residents healthy.
Seasonal Adaptations at Forest Brow
At Forest Brow, we prioritise seasonal adaptations where every season is celebrated for warmth, joy and building meaningful connections. Whether it is planting flowers during spring or decorating the house for the Christmas and New Year, it is about enjoying the seasons throughout the year.
While seasonal transitions happen in phases, residential care homes such as Forest Brow make sure that all residents can enjoy and be a part of the seasonal changes.