Seniors are to be encouraged to get active instead of staring at the walls or TV in their care home. Staff at residential care homes and nursing homes across the Island are to go on a training course to learn how to provide recreational activities.A total of 16 staff from 11 facilities have already signed up to be trained as ‘activity professionals’ to improve the fitness and health levels of seniors.Minister of Health Zane DeSilva told the House of Assembly: “Many of us have been concerned that within eldercare facilities there is little stimulation for the residents.“Often residents appear to be starring at blank walls or a television. It is often depressing to think that once active individuals are now confined to a life of inactivity and apparent loneliness.”Mr DeSilva said the Activities Assistants Programme was “both practical and cost effective”. The course will be run by the Department of Health, the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged and the National Training Board in conjunction with the Bermuda College.The 90-hour course, which will be taught in two modules each lasting a week, will be based on the curriculum of the National Certification Council for Activities Professionals.Topics to be covered will include human development and ageing, activity compliance and standards of practice, methods of service delivery and activity documentation and care planning.Under the Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes Act 1999, all homes must be regulated with conditions including qualifications of staff, services within the facilities and the keeping of records.The Act also states that as far as possible, these homes must ensure “a programme of activities and recreational opportunities”.