In care, we often hear the term “meaningful activity” mentioned, but what does it mean? Meaningful activity are activities that are tailored to suit the individuals’ needs and preferences. Care activities, for example, can be made meaningful if the interaction is positive and enhanced through conversation and individual’s participation. To do this, we need to reduce care-speak and encourage conversation and interaction with the person we are caring for.
Eating and the mealtime experience can be particularly meaningful if promoted and presented in a positive way. Other meaningful activities include leisure activities, such as listening to music or watching TV, either alone or in a group, or even just simple conversation and having company.
There is no one activity or group of activities that is meaningful to everyone; activities are as individual as the people themselves. To determine which activities will be most beneficial to someone, you need to know them, understand their life story, and any physical or cognitive limitations they may have. Limitations do not mean that someone cannot participate in their favourite past-times: it just means that they may require slightly more consideration or adaptations to facilitate their involvement.
Participation in meaningful activity can promote the physical and mental wellbeing of older people with or without dementia or physical limitations. It improves the quality of life and delay physical and mental decline. There are NICE guidelines (Quality statement 1: Participation in meaningful activity | Mental wellbeing of older people in care homes | Quality standards | NICE) relating to meaningful activity which encourages people to actively choose and define activities that are meaningful to them. If they wish, friends, families, and carers should also be encouraged to participate in activities. Wider participation by family, friends, and carers in meaningful activities also promotes the development and maintenance of relationships.
For an activity to be meaningful, it should provide emotional, creative, intellectual, and spiritual stimulation in an environment that is appropriate to the individual’s preferences and needs. The environment may include outdoor spaces or an adapted indoor environment. There is research indicating the benefits of older people having access to the outdoors at certain times of the day to get their exposure to the correct type and amount of light, which promotes the production of vitamin D and melatonin. In addition, this can help maintain the circadian rhythm and improve mood. You can obtain more information about lighting and outdoor spaces via the DSDC website.
Using the principles of meaningful activity, activities can be modified and provided to include people with advanced dementia with or without sensory impairment.
