Getting the Most Joy from Your Nursing Home Visit

Many people find it difficult or uncomfortable to visit a loved one in a nursing home, even an elderly parent. Regular conversation can be challenging especially when dealing with hearing loss, memory deficits or even depression.

However, the quality of life for an elderly person is largely dependent on his or her interactions and relationships with others. Life suddenly stripped of relationships can lead to depression and anxiety, which in turn may degrade an individual’s overall functioning. Relationships are healing; they give a person something to live for. They soothe and comfort the elderly.

Which is why your continued visits are so important.

To help you plan stimulating and enjoyable visits we’ve compiled a list of suggested activities (below). Please also feel free to use the Activity Staff as a resource. They keep many games, puzzles, books and other fun items on hand and will be pleased to lend them to you. They may also have suggestions for activities your loved particularly enjoys.

Finally, if your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, remember to follow their conversational cues. For example, if they ask why a deceased spouse hasn’t come to visit, use that opportunity to reminisce with them about all the fun times they shared rather than correcting them.

Above all, our hope is that you and your loved one enjoy quality time together while you are visiting a Vincentian facility.

Suggested Activities:

• Bring a beloved family pet for a visit – but please check first with staff regarding that facility’s pet visiting policy.
• Play cards, or simple games like hangman, tic-tac-toe, checkers, even charades.
• Offer to read out loud from a favorite book or magazine.
• Arm yourself with 10 questions to ask your loved one and give them lots of time to talk. Click here for a list of over 100 questions to choose from. 
• Ladies enjoy many grooming activities such as receiving a hand massage and manicure. Just slowly brushing someone's hair can also provide much-needed attention and physical contact.
• Bring in some vintage magazines (from your library or antique stores) and use the stories and ads as prompts for conversation about the good ol’ days.
• Bring in a family photo album from long ago and ask questions about family members, share memories about trips and family history.
• If you play an instrument, bring it in and share your talent – with your loved one and others as well.
• Bring in an old movie and appropriate snacks to host a movie night – either alone or with your loved one’s friends.
• Bring small plants if your loved one has a green thumb. In the spring speak with the Activities Department about outdoor planting activities. Vincentian Regency and Marian Manor have wheelchair accessible flower beds.
• Many residents enjoy batting a balloon back and forth. It helps maintain mobility in their upper extremities and is an especially fun activity when children are present.
• Visit one of our lovely gardens during nice weather. In poor weather a simple trip to the cafeteria for a cup of tea and slice of cake can be a welcome diversion. On the way, stop in and chat with your loved one’s friends, look at the bulletin boards, seasonal decorations and visit the aviary.
• Deliver and read mail from other family members or loved ones.
• Offer to write a letter or card that your loved one may wish to send to a friend.
• You and your family members are always welcome to join in any planned activities including daily mass.
• We also welcome your assistance as an escort for off-site activities. Some regular trips include the National Aviary, the Casino, Kennywood, Gateway Clipper boat rides. Check with the Activities Department and scan the newsletter to learn about upcoming excursions.

Above all, your time and presence is the greatest gift you can provide your loved one.