Activities

The HOMESTEADS are not medical facilities, but rather home-like settings where shared home health services are provided to residents to enable them to age in place with the care that their changing needs require. Like homes, they do not provide formal activity programs. Activities are part and parcel of everyday living.

Each resident is asked to share their Life Story. Activities are planned around things that they enjoy. Familiar activities can trigger memories, eliciting the same enjoyment associated with the original event, especially for residents with dementia or memory loss. At the  Homesteads, we do this through cards, food, favorite TV shows and movies, music, and holidays.

Residents receive handmade cards each month made by Sarah, our Director of Nursing, along with one of her pupils. These cards serve a number of purposes:

• Elders are used to getting “snail” mail and they always appreciate it. We encourage families to send mail as well.

• Cards are a visual and constant reminder that someone thought of them.

• Cards are a reminder of the current season and/or holiday.

• They are a great decoration, also.

Activities are often planned around food and can spark memories. Residents make suggestions for menus and offer feedback about their likes and dislikes. We often plan meals around special events or old favorites that again trigger memories. Birthdays and holidays present opportunities for special activities, with favorite meals and birthday cakes.

Holidays are celebrated in a big way, especially Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. 

 Easter might involve decorating eggs and egg hunts.  One year, we even had a visit from the Easter Bunny!  Summer time is celebrated with pool parties, picnics and barbeques.

On Halloween, caregivers dress in costumes.  We have treats in each resident’s room and the staff go “trick or treating.”  A turkey dinner with all the fixings is served on Thanksgiving.

Christmas is a special time at the Homesteads. We start the season by decorating. Staff go all out putting up the tree, hanging stockings, and making wreaths, all the while involving residents. Santa visits with his elf and reindeer to put presents under the trees. Staff fill stockings and plan favorite meals. Christmas cards made by staff and volunteers are delivered. Instead of being home alone during this special time, residents are part of a community, remembering what it feels like to be with family.