Having to ‘go beyond’: Staff perspectives on activity programs for older people living in nursing homes

Activity programs are run by many nursing homes (also known as residential aged care facilities or long-term care facilities) however little is known about how activities are chosen or how well they meet the needs of residents. The aim of this study was to learn more about activity programs currently offered to older people living in nursing homes in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were undertaken with 13 activities/lifestyle staff working across six nursing homes. Staff were asked about their role and training; how activities were chosen, run, and evaluated; and barriers to providing social participation opportunities for residents. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed six main themes: the role of the activities staff is to make people happy and meet their needs; activities staff largely choose (group based) activities; evaluation of activity programs is mostly informal; activity programs are poorly resourced; staff are often required to 'go beyond'; and catering to the unique needs of residents is challenging. Given the established importance of social interaction to physical and psychosocial health, it is essential that activity programs and staff are viewed as integral to resident wellbeing; that staff are trained and supported; and that programs are funded and resourced adequately to deliver programs that are person-centred and meet the needs and preferences of residents.