Outdoor activities are one of the most beneficial types of activities for people living in care homes. Time spent outdoors engaged in activity or socialising with friends can support wellbeing, physical fitness, and provide gentle sensory stimulation.
The fresh air and natural light, combined with the sights and sounds of nature can have a calming effect, especially for people who live with dementia.
At Buchan House Care Home in Cambridge, the team encourage residents to spend time outside, even if it’s something simple, like enjoying a cup of tea or a quiet moment with friends. Built into the activity schedule, especially through the summer months, are a range of engaging outdoor activities that provide a welcome change of scenery and enhance people’s quality of life.
The gardening club is one of the most popular outdoor activities at the care home. For many people, it brings back fond memories of tending to their own gardens in years gone by. The opportunity to continue this hobby not only has a meaningful impact on their outdoor space but provides satisfaction and fulfilment. This regular group session also provides enrichment, as people are able to see the plants they sow in early spring blossom into beautiful flowers during the summer months. It also enables the kitchen team to incorporate delicious and nutritious homegrown vegetables into their recipes.
Sometimes a simple change of scenery is all it takes to raise a smile. Whether it’s the option to dine ‘al-fresco’ and enjoy mealtimes outside, or, taking activities usually hosted inside, out into the garden. These sometimes-spontaneous moments add excitement and help to encourage participation among those who don’t engage as regularly in activities.
Amongst the variety of outdoor activities, day trips to local attractions and destinations also take place. Seaside visits are especially popular and help to bring back fond memories from coastal trips with families and friends. The scents and sounds associated with the seaside, along with the taste of traditional fish and chips provide multi-sensory stimulation and create new cherished memories.
These positive impacts are best described by the people who live at Buchan House. “Getting outside really lifts my spirits,” said one person, while another shared, “I don’t need to go far – a seat outside and some sunshine makes my day much nicer.” For others, it brings a deeper sense of meaning, with one gentleman explaining, “Going outside gives me purpose.” On a recent trip to the park, one person summed it up perfectly: “I felt like a kid again, getting outside and playing.”
As the summer months begin to arrive, outdoor activities will feature more frequently – providing lots of opportunities to enjoy the sunshine surrounded by nature and the wide range of benefits this offers.
