Outdoor Time for Residents

Spring has sprung which means it’s time to get residents outside to enjoy the sights, sounds and feel of the season. You may have questions about outdoor time considering the social distancing and visitor restrictions brought about by COVID-19.

Should residents be going outside right now?

Yes, getting residents outside is still highly encouraged. Being outdoors helps boost Vitamin D levels which strengthen the immune system, reduces anxiety and depression and helps with healing. These benefits are more important than ever. They also apply to residents and staff members.

Can groups of residents be outside together?

Yes, small groups can be outside together if social distancing guidelines are followed. When with a group it is also recommended to wear a mask.

What should we do to maintain social distancing and practice good infection prevention with outside activity?

• Social distancing guidelines should be followed when residents are outside too. See social distancing reminder ideas from fellow members below.
• Try not co-mingle residents or staff members from different areas (neighborhoods, hallways, buildings, etc.) in outdoor areas.
• Tables, chairs and equipment should be sanitized between users.
• It is not required that staff members be present during outdoor time due to COVID-19, but some organizations have opted for staff supervision to ensure social distancing.

How do we keep family members from coming by while residents are outside?

Here are some ideas from fellow LeadingAge Kansas members.

• We are using courtyards on the interior side of the building to keep unexpected visitors from stopping by.
• Residents are using fenced in patio and courtyard areas instead of open spaces on the grounds.
• We have an area roped off for resident use and another rope about 7 foot further out for unexpected visitors outside.

What are others doing to maintain social distancing in outdoor areas?

• We remind residents regularly about the importance of social distancing and ask them to help others remember.
• We have staff members present outdoors to remind residents and make sure they are social distancing.
• We have arranged patio furniture, so it is all spaced at least six feet apart. We have also marked the benches and two-person gliders with signs reminding people to social distance.
• To help residents understand the spacing create several 6ft poles with PVC and keep them around so that the residences and visualize the distance.
• To ensure social distancing during patio dining the administrator had a pole with a tennis ball on each end that he goes around and measures to ensure everyone is 6 ft apart.

Looking for ideas?

Here’s what fellow LeadingAge Kansas members are doing.

Dining

• Outside BBQ with residents. Tables and TV trays for residents and staff and they had residents come and go.
• Some residents are choosing to eat on the patio.
• Smore’s around the fire pit.

Physical

• Residents are going for walks with staff members around the campus.
• Residents walking around the grounds.
• We held a kite day so residents could go out and fly a kite or watch others fly them.
• Exercise class on the patio.
• We are having lawn darts competitions and playing other yard games.
• Other outdoor ideas:
• DIY lawn games 
• Scavenger Hunt
• DIY Obstacle Courses

Relaxation/Site Seeing

• Vehicle/Wagon rides:
• Residents going on vehicle rides one at a time.
• We also got approval from our health Dept to take five at a time on our 24-passenger bus for rides. They are appropriate distance and it gets them out around town. We do this in shifts a couple times a week. 
• We have a 10 ft wagon we hook up to our tractor and we can put two residents at a time on the wagon (it has benches) and they can appropriately socially distance and we take wagon rides through campus. 
• We go out on the patio so residents can sit and enjoy the day.
• Talking books or someone reading to residents on the patio.
• Other ideas:
• Stargazing – Night Sky is a great app for star gazing and learning about what you see

Music

• Local musicians come and play in the grass. Residents can come outside to watch or hear the music from their rooms.
• Listening to music or the birds under the shade tree or gazebo.

Spiritual

• We are taking our residents out to our prayer garden. 
• Chaplain or local church doing devotions with individuals or small groups outside.

Gardening

• Several have started a garden (in our raised garden boxes). 
• Residents go in the courtyard and tend the flowerpots they planted.

Social

• We had a family parade for our residents.  We spaced them out along our sidewalks to ensure proper distance. 
• Residents spend time in the large courtyards visiting.
• Small groups of residents like to visit on the porch.
• Afternoon tea or happy hour on the patio.

Animals/Fishing

• We have access to a beautiful park/pond area and staff take three residents at a time to enjoy watching the geese/ducks/fish/squirrels/etc. 
• Residents fish in the pond.
• Made bird feeders and hung in the lawn. Now residents go out to bird watch. - https://ny.audubon.org/news/bird-watching-101-guide-beginners

Parades

• We had a family parade. Family members drove by as residents watched and waved.
• Staff and residents dress up in various themes and parade around the lawn for those that want to watch.
• Other possible parade ideas:
• Reach out to see if animal shelter has dogs that could be walked by the building for residents to view.
• If a childcare center is within walking distance they could parade by.