Engagement in activities by old people in residential care

A major task facing the staff of residential homes for the elderly and of geriatric hospitals is to organise the environment so that the best interests of the elderly residents are met. Such organisation will assist each resident to solve particular problems or to meet the therapeutic goals for which the person was admitted. In addition, and equally important, staff will arrange the day-to-day environment to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities in order to maintain those abilities they possessed upon admission, together with their health and their interest in life. Ideally, too, the staff will include each resident in the deliberations and decisions about his or her therapeutic goals, and will involve all residents in planning their chosen activities or in making changes to encourage greater participation in the activities available.