How language can improve person-centred care activities in care homes

Sometimes changing the culture around activities begins with changing the language around them.

When we think about person-centred activities in care settings, we often focus on the activity itself.

The entertainer.

The craft session.

The quiz.

The exercise class.

But sometimes, what quietly shapes the success of an activity happens long before it even begins.

It starts with the language we use.

Recently, I found myself reflecting on how differently activities can be perceived depending on the wording used when discussing them with colleagues.

For example, there is a huge difference between saying:

“These residents have expressed an interest in attending…”

and:

“These residents need to be in the lounge by 2pm for the activity.”

At first glance, it may seem like a very small difference. But the atmosphere created by those two sentences is completely different.

One centres around choice, autonomy, and personal preference.

The other can unintentionally sound task-focused and routine-led.

Of course, nobody usually means any harm by this.

Care settings are busy environments, and teams are often juggling many responsibilities at once. Sometimes wording becomes habitual simply because everyone is trying to get through the day.

But language matters.

Why language matters in person-centred care activities

The words we use can quietly shape attitudes, expectations, and culture within a care setting.

Activities are not simply events residents are sent to.

They are opportunities for:

• connection

• companionship

• creativity

• self-expression

• emotional wellbeing

• maintaining identity

• enjoyment and purpose

  
  

When we communicate that a resident wants to attend something, it naturally encourages a more collaborative response from the wider team.

It becomes about supporting someone to do something meaningful to them, rather than simply moving people from one place to another.

This serves as an important reminder that residents still have choices, preferences, likes, dislikes, routines, and the right to decide how they spend their time.

Person-centred care is often found in the small everyday moments.

The tone of a conversation.

The wording in handover.

The way we invite someone to join an activity.

The way we describe what activities are for.

Sometimes the culture around activities does not need huge changes.

Sometimes it begins with a simple change in language.

And often, those small shifts help activities become more valued, more understood, and more fully supported across the whole team.

I’d love you to reflect on this within your own setting.

Have you noticed certain wording encourages better teamwork or engagement around activities?

Sometimes those little observations can lead to the biggest changes of all.