Most people don’t want to go to a nursing home and most seniors don’t want to be there. It’s a place you go to when you get old and maybe even sick, so of course, it doesn’t sound like the most desirable place to be. It’s a world of routines, where each day sort of blends into the next one.
If nursing homes were food, they would be oatmeal – almost tasteless, no particular color, not bad for you, but not especially good. Just… bland. You get the picture. But what happens when you add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of fruit to your oatmeal? It becomes a treat, right?
That’s exactly what small acts of kindness can do for nursing home residents. A handwritten note, fresh flowers, even a few words can light up a person’s day. These are such simple gestures and a few moments of genuine attention can mean the world to someone who feels disconnected and doesn’t get to interact with others that much.
In this article, we’ll give you tips on how to bring happiness to nursing home residents and remind them there’s always someone thinking about them.
Simple Ways to Bring Joy to Nursing Home Residents
A nursing home should be a safe, welcoming place, however, a lot of them are all but that. Burns Nursing Home, for example, is a place you don’t want to end up in. In fact, it’s a place you don’t want anyone to end up in – their staff is negligent, doesn’t follow safety protocols, and have even caused some residents to get injured.
Apart from reporting the issues to authorities, here are some simple ways to cheer up people in nursing homes, even in ones like this one.
- DIY Gifts
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a thoughtful gift. In fact, you don’t need to buy a gift at all, you can make one! A personalized photo frame is an excellent gift for someone living in a nursing home. A decorated flower pot is another great idea.
They’ll make the room feel warm and personalized, and they’ll show your loved one you took the time to make something for them.
Each time your loved one sees your gift(s), they’ll cheer up and be reminded that you love and support them.
- Encouraging Notes
Handwritten notes are always an amazing gesture. Write words of encouragement, describe memories you share, and inside jokes.
Make sure the note is somewhere visible, like a bedside table or a message board, so the resident can easily spot it all the time. A positive message or two will break up monotony and bring a smile to your loved one’s face.
- Thoughtful Daily Gestures
Not every gift has to be palpable. Sometimes, all it takes is sharing a snack, going for a walk, or reading a book aloud to make a difference in someone’s day.
Gestures like these will show the resident they’re valued, you recognize what they like, and they’ll feel more connected to the people around them. make these gestures a part of every visit to give them something to look forward to.
- Including Nature
Who doesn’t like small potted plants and seasonal flowers? What room doesn’t brighten up as soon as there’s a plant inside?
Plants can make the room feel invigorated and they can even have a calming effect. A gesture like this is especially important for people who don’t get to go outside too much.
Rotate flowers, plants, and photos that have themes of nature to keep the room feeling fresh and alive.
- Active Listening
You’ll find that most seniors living in nursing homes just want someone to listen to them. They like sharing their stories and memories, but often, there’s no one around who cares to listen to them.
Active listening (which doesn’t mean just sitting like a zombie and staring, but making open-ended questions and showing curiosity) will give the resident a chance to express themselves and feel that what they’ve experienced is valued.
It will make the bond between you stronger and they’ll feel important, which will make them so happy, especially if they feel overlooked, like many seniors sadly do.
Conclusion
Money can’t buy happiness and you can’t use money to make someone else happy. Okay, in all fairness, a diamond probably never made anyone depressed. Plus, it’s probably easier to cry in a Ferrari than a Chevy Spark.
But for seniors, it’s not about the expensive gifts – it’s about making them feel valued. Today, we are so focused on youth that we make seniors feel overlooked, especially ones that live in nursing homes. A thoughtful gift that comes from the heart will mean more to them than any money you can spend; it will let them know you think of them, you care about them, and you like spending time with them. And if you really listen to what they’re saying, you’ll realize that’s all they really want. Especially if it comes with a diamond necklace. (Just kidding, obviously)