There was plenty of concentration, friendly competition and, most importantly, laughter in the common room at Sandford Care Home when staff set up a safe game of darts for residents to enjoy.
At Sandford, we believe that life in a care home should still be filled with variety, purpose and plenty of opportunities to have fun. Every resident is different, with their own interests, hobbies, abilities and memories, so offering a varied programme of activities helps us make sure there is always something that can capture someone’s interest. Sometimes it might be music or crafts, sometimes a trip out, and sometimes all you need is a dartboard, a little competitive spirit and a room full of people ready to cheer each other on!
But a game of darts is about much more than simply hitting the board. Taking a shot encourages residents to focus, concentrate and keep their eyes active, while adding up the scores gets the mind working too. There’s also the excitement of a little healthy competition, whether someone is determined to hit the highest score or simply enjoying having a go.
Activities like this can also bring a wonderful sense of normality. Darts is a familiar pastime that many people will have enjoyed in pubs, clubs and social settings throughout their lives. Bringing familiar activities into the home helps create an environment that feels less like somewhere residents simply receive care and much more like what it should be: their home, where life continues to be enjoyed.
Most importantly, though, it brings people together. Sitting in the common room, taking turns, watching one another play, sharing a joke and celebrating a good shot gives residents another reason to spend time together. Those moments of laughter, conversation and companionship can be every bit as important as the activity itself.
At Sandford, keeping residents active isn’t only about physical movement. It is about keeping eyes watching, minds thinking, interests alive and friendships growing. Whether it’s a bullseye or a complete miss, if everyone finishes the game smiling, we think that’s a pretty good score!