In adult family homes across the country, caregivers work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of elderly residents or adults with disabilities. These homes are meant to provide a safe, nurturing, and homelike environment. However, safety should never come at the cost of personal freedom, emotional health, or community connection. Unfortunately, some caregiving practices unintentionally limit residents’ lives to the confines of four walls, turning homes into quiet places of boredom and isolation. This must change.
It’s important to remember: residents are not prisoners. They are individuals with dreams, feelings, and a deep need for social interaction and stimulation. Many have lived rich lives full of family, work, travel, and contribution. Being placed in a care setting does not mean their role in society has ended. What often deteriorates their emotional health is not their age or condition, but the loss of meaningful activity and human connection.
Taking residents out into the community is not just a bonus—it's part of quality care. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a visit to the local store, or participation in a community event or festival, these activities provide a sense of normalcy and belonging. Residents feel seen, included, and respected.
Engaging with the outside world can:
It’s understandable that caregivers have busy schedules and that managing transportation and safety can be challenging. But creativity and planning can go a long way. Involve family members, plan group outings, or work with local community centers. Even simple outdoor activities—sitting in a garden, attending a church service, or getting a haircut at a local salon—can make a big difference.
The key is to avoid treating residents like tasks to manage. Treat them as people to engage.
We need to shift the culture in adult family homes from one of containment to one of empowerment. Caregivers must be trained and encouraged to include community involvement as part of their care strategy. Policies should support outings and family participation, not discourage them.
A caregiving home should not feel like a locked space—it should feel like a place of support and connection. Caregivers, let’s not “rock” our residents into stillness and sadness. Let’s walk with them into the world. Take them outside. Help them feel alive and part of something bigger than the house they live in. Every person deserves to feel free, valued, and alive—no matter their age or ability.
It’s important to remember: residents are not prisoners. They are individuals with dreams, feelings, and a deep need for social interaction and stimulation. Many have lived rich lives full of family, work, travel, and contribution. Being placed in a care setting does not mean their role in society has ended. What often deteriorates their emotional health is not their age or condition, but the loss of meaningful activity and human connection.
Taking residents out into the community is not just a bonus—it's part of quality care. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a visit to the local store, or participation in a community event or festival, these activities provide a sense of normalcy and belonging. Residents feel seen, included, and respected.
Engaging with the outside world can:
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Improve physical health through light exercise
- Enhance memory and cognitive function
- Rebuild self-esteem
- Strengthen the caregiver-resident relationship
It’s understandable that caregivers have busy schedules and that managing transportation and safety can be challenging. But creativity and planning can go a long way. Involve family members, plan group outings, or work with local community centers. Even simple outdoor activities—sitting in a garden, attending a church service, or getting a haircut at a local salon—can make a big difference.
The key is to avoid treating residents like tasks to manage. Treat them as people to engage.
We need to shift the culture in adult family homes from one of containment to one of empowerment. Caregivers must be trained and encouraged to include community involvement as part of their care strategy. Policies should support outings and family participation, not discourage them.
A caregiving home should not feel like a locked space—it should feel like a place of support and connection. Caregivers, let’s not “rock” our residents into stillness and sadness. Let’s walk with them into the world. Take them outside. Help them feel alive and part of something bigger than the house they live in. Every person deserves to feel free, valued, and alive—no matter their age or ability.
