Autumn in the Care Home – Activities and Integration for Seniors
Autumn is a perfect moment for shared activities in a care home. The colors, scents, and rhythm of the season foster integration, lift the mood, and gently support physical and cognitive activity.
Why is it worth it?
- Integration: Working in pairs and small groups strengthens bonds.
- Mood: autumn rituals (tea, apple scent) enhance well-being.
- Activity: small manual tasks and walks provide safe exercise.
Simple indoor activities
- Leaf workshops: arrangements with leaves and cones, bookmarks.
- Scent corner: dried apples, cinnamon, cloves – recognizing aromas.
- Autumn music and memories: listening to songs, family albums, home chronicle.
- Board games: dominoes, themed bingo (“colors of autumn”).
- Film club: short screening + discussion over tea.
Culinary activities
- Soft apple pie: peeling apples together, decorating – baked by the staff.
- Spiced tea: tasting and choosing the home’s “tea of the autumn.”
- Pumpkin spread: simple bread spread, recipe added to the family cookbook.
Outdoors
- Walks in the garden/park: observing colors, collecting leaves for crafts.
- Light Nordic walking: 10–15 minutes with a caregiver, small groups.
- Photo corner: group picture in an autumn setting and exhibition in the corridor.
Intergenerational
- “Autumn letter”: exchange of cards with a local school/kindergarten.
- Shared reading: children reading short stories to seniors.
Memory training (short blocks)
- Associations: “What does autumn remind you of?” – 10 words on the board.
- Picture puzzles: matching leaf–tree, fruit–dish.
- Brain teasers: simple crosswords/words made from the letters “AUTUMN.”
Safety and comfort
- Well-lit corridors, handrails, and non-slip footwear.
- Warm layered clothing, blankets for walks, thermos with tea.
- Contraindications: spice allergies, fatigue – shortened sessions.
Sample weekly plan
- Monday: leaf workshops (30–40 min)
- Tuesday: walk + photo corner (20 min)
- Wednesday: film club (45 min)
- Thursday: apple pie/tasting (30 min)
- Friday: board games + memory training (30 min)
Find more inspiration and senior-friendly facilities at OPK Care.
August 26, 2025
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