Have you tried to visit a loved one in a residential home only to find that they are out on a day trip? These are known as ‘away days’ and are part of every residential home, helping the residents to get out and about in the community and have a great time. Such day trips usually happen a few days a week and are chaperoned by staff to ensure that everyone is happy and well during the trip.
So, if you are looking into a residential setting for a loved one and are curious about why there are so many days away from the home, read on! It’s more than just a good day out!
Socialisation
A core part of the away day is socialisation.
Envision, if you will, a group of people who live in a residential home, like Signature at Reigate Grange Care Home, and they are all fed up with how their hair looks. Such care homes have a five-star service and will naturally provide on-site hairdressing and even manicures, but sometimes people like to organise events for everyday things. The nurses and support team may decide to arrange an away day to a local salon, so the ladies can spruce themselves up with fresh looks, browse through the latest trends, and have a natter with the staff. This serves the purpose of getting the haircut but also allows the ladies to feel part of the community again and allows them to talk to people outside of the care home setting, thereby boosting their confidence and expanding their social network.
Recreation
Many away days are based around activities such as sports, walking, and even games. These are experiences that the people who live in residential care might have limited access to. For instance, many residential homes set up schedules with swimming pools, gyms, and other activity centres, so that those who want to engage in the activities can regularly attend, which is good for both physical and mental health. These might be activities solely with other residents at the care home, or they might be joining a larger group of other players.
New Experiences
Everyone loves new experiences, as they allow you to broaden your horizons and help you to learn more about yourself and the world around you. By engaging in away days to experiences like art sessions or gardening days, the residents of residential homes can and will learn more about themselves, their likes and dislikes, and this will also help them live a more balanced life.
Routines
As much as humans love routines, they can get a bit boring at times.
Yes, all residential homes have a set routine for those who live in them to help manage the days and to help the caregivers manage their workloads, but always being in the same place with the same people is bad for anyone’s mental health. By having away days to spas, garden centres, or golf clubs, residents can break up the routine a bit and have more spontaneity.
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