Senior living communities are busy places. Activities and events, such as group games or trips to local attractions, keep residents engaged and happy. By planning these activities safely for residents, senior living communities in Wake Forest, NC, can ensure that their residents have a positive experience that will lead to increased longevity and quality of life. So how do you plan activities safely? Here are some tips:
Plan Outdoor Activities
You don’t need to worry about finding a venue when planning activities. Most retirement communities have facilities available for residents, including gyms and pools. You may also consider organizing an event at the local park or zoo.
If you’re interested in organizing an outdoor activity for your residents but are worried about safety issues such as weather and traffic accidents along the route, consider working with a senior living community that offers transportation services for its residents who need assistance getting around town (and even on field trips). They also make sure there are emergency procedures in place if something goes wrong while outside; this can include contacting local authorities if necessary.
Give Residents A Regular Health Checkup
Senior living communities need to keep their residents healthy and active. This can be difficult, especially if the community has many residents with health issues. The best way to do this is by providing regular health checkups for all residents.
Regular health checkups will help you identify potential problems before they become severe enough to inhibit participation in activities or exercise programs. They also allow you to educate your residents about any conditions they may have so that they can take steps toward prevention or treatment as soon as possible.
Hold Virtual Activities
With the help of retirement communities, you can hold virtual activities. For example, if your family member is a fan of horseback riding, they could watch videos or read books about it and talk to other people who enjoy riding horses. Likewise, if they are interested in gardening or cooking new recipes, they can learn more about these topics through online resources and attend webinars on them.
Assess The Resident Experience
As you plan the activity, think about how it will be executed. You may need additional equipment or team members; if so, ensure you have enough time to acquire them beforehand. If your residents are going to participate in an activity requiring special clothing, make sure they have access to it.
If necessary, create a plan B in case things don’t go as expected during an activity (for example: if weather conditions are wrong). In addition to having a backup plan ready for each event on your calendar, keep extra supplies on hand, such as first aid kits and safety cones if possible, so that there are no major delays caused by missing items or lack thereof. Even if you are using volunteers, it’s still a good idea to have some staff on hand if something goes wrong or someone needs assistance.
Identify Which Amenities Are Safe And In Demand
In order to create a safe environment, it’s important to identify which amenities are safe and in demand. For example, if you have a golf course on your property but only one resident has ever golfed before (and he’s 80 years old), that may be something other than something worth investing in at this time. Instead of buying equipment for an activity no one will use, consider supporting in other areas such as arts and crafts or dancing classes.
Conclusion
Senior living communities are excellent places for seniors to live, but certain safety precautions must be taken. Activities can be dangerous for older adults if not planned or supervised properly. We encourage you to use these tips as a guide when planning your next event or activity!
