Activity Ideas for Support Workers With Older Clients
26 October 2026
Good activities to do with an older client as a support worker are the ones the client chooses and enjoys: a cup of tea and a chat, a game of cards, looking through photos, listening to music, a short walk or time in the garden. Check what was agreed first, and let the client decide.
This guide is for independent support workers who have time in a visit beyond the tasks and want ideas that suit the person, not a list to tick off. It is practical guidance, not clinical advice. If you are a care seeker looking at the same topic from your side, see community and companionship support at home.
Start with the person, not the activity
An idea that works for one client can fall flat with another. Before suggesting anything, find out what they already enjoy and what they would rather not do. Ask in an open way:
"What did you like doing when you had more time?"
"Is there something you would like to do together on Thursdays, or would you rather just have a chat?"
"Is there anything you would like to avoid?"
Listen for the small things: a favourite radio station, a hobby that stopped, a person or place they like to talk about. These cues give better ideas than any list. The habit is the same one behind person-centred care tips for support workers: ask rather than assume.
Treat "no thank you" as a complete answer. Some clients prefer a quiet visit, and that is a valid choice.
Check what was agreed first
An activity is part of the visit only if it fits what you and the client agreed. Before you suggest one, check your booking or agreement. If an activity is outside it, such as an outing that adds travel time, agree it with the client beforehand and confirm any change in writing. Setting up agreements between support workers and providers lists points worth settling.
Do not spend your own money or the client's without a clear agreement, and do not take the client anywhere you have not discussed. Keep the visit to what both of you would be comfortable explaining to the client's family.
Ideas for at home
These are only starting points. Pick one the client seems to like and let it run for as long as they want.
Cards and simple games. Cards, dominoes or a jigsaw puzzle. Let the client choose the game and the pace, and do not play to win.
Looking through photos. Ask about a person or place in a photo. Let the client tell the story and do not push for details.
Music or radio. Ask what they would like to listen to. Some clients enjoy singing along or telling you about a favourite song.
Cooking or baking together. Doing one small step together, such as making a pot of tea or mixing a batter, can feel more like company than a chore. Follow any food preferences or instructions the client has given you.
A bit of garden. Sitting outside, watering pot plants or picking herbs, if the client enjoys it and it is within what was agreed.
Crosswords, word puzzles or reading aloud. Offer to read the paper or a chapter of a book. Stop when the client has had enough.
A phone or video call. If the client would like to ring a friend or relative, you can help set it up, then give them privacy.
Ideas for getting out
Outings are good for some clients and a lot of effort for others. Raise the idea gently and respect the answer.
A short walk around the block or to the letterbox, at the client's pace.
A coffee at a local cafe or sitting in a nearby park.
A visit to a library, a community group or a place they used to go.
Plan any outing with the client before the day, including how you will get there, how long it will take and what they would like to do if they get tired. Talk about it with them rather than for them.
Any questions about mobility or what the client can safely do belong with the client and their doctor or other health professional, not with you. The care seeker side of this, including how this kind of support is described, is in community and companionship support at home, and what a support worker does lists social support among the kinds of work a support worker may do.
Keep it respectful
Treat the client as an adult. Choose activities that suit an adult with a lifetime of experience, not ones that feel childish.
Follow their lead. If they lose interest, change the activity or stop.
Protect their privacy. Do not take photos or post about the client online, and do not share what they tell you with other people.
Stay within the role. Do not give medical or clinical advice, and do not take on tasks outside what was agreed.
Notice how they respond. If the client seems more tired, quiet or upset than usual, ask gently how they are, and mention it to the person they have chosen to tell. Do not guess at the cause.
Afterwards, jot down what the client enjoyed. A short note helps you remember next time, and it is useful if you pass on information in a handover note, with the client's agreement.
FAQ
What can I do with an older client who does not want to do anything?
Sit with them, have a cup of tea and offer a chat. Do not push. Some clients prefer quiet company, and your calm presence is part of the visit. You can offer a choice again on another day.
Are activities part of a support worker's job?
That depends on what you and the client have agreed. Social support, such as company, conversation and outings, is one of the kinds of support listed on our page about what a support worker does. Check your booking or agreement.
How do I come up with ideas for a client I do not know well?
Ask about their interests, look around the home for cues such as books, photos or a garden, and offer two or three simple choices. Build slowly, as trust grows over several visits. Building long-term client relationships explains why steady habits matter.
Can I take a client on an outing?
Only if it is agreed beforehand and you both know the plan. Talk through the route, the timing and what to do if they tire, and confirm any change to the agreement in writing.
If you work independently and are looking for new clients, the support worker page explains how that works.
Sources
This article is practical guidance. It states no regulatory, funding or fee rules, so no external government source is needed. It draws on these CareVicinity pages, read on 26 October 2026: