Social outings and going to cafés.
Catching up with friends, sharing a coffee, or spending time in the community can help people stay connected and independent.
Taking part in social activities can support wellbeing and confidence. It can also help people feel connected to the people and places that matter to them.
Everyone’s situation is different.
Use this page as a starting point. Adapt ideas to suit the person’s goals, abilities, and preferences.
Why this activity matters
Going to a café is about much more than having a coffee.
It can give people a chance to:
- Connect with friends and family
- Stay involved in their community
- Keep up familiar routines
- Make choices and decisions
- Enjoy activities that matter to them
Taking part in social activities can support physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing.
Physical benefits
Walking and moving around
Walking to, from, and around a café can help people stay active and keep moving.
Balance and coordination
Moving through different spaces, doorways, seating areas, and paths can help people practise their balance skills.
Endurance and stamina
Going out in the community can help people practise being active for longer periods.
Everyday movement
Sitting, standing, carrying items and handling cups or food can help people use everyday movement skills.
Thinking and cognitive benefits
Planning and organisation
Choosing a café, arranging transport, and organising a catch-up can help people practise planning skills.
Decision making
Choosing drinks, meals, seating and activities can help people practise making decisions.
Memory
Remembering routines, people, places and past experiences can help people use their memory.
Attention and concentration
Following conversations and taking part in activities can help people practise staying focused.
Emotional and social benefits
Connection and belonging
Spending time with friends and others in the community can help people stay connected and feel they belong.
Confidence
Going out and taking part in activities can help people feel more confident outside the home.
Choice and control
Deciding when, where, and how to take part can help people have more choice and control.
Enjoyment and wellbeing
Going out can give people something to enjoy and look forward to.
Ways to keep the client involved
- Encourage the person to choose the café or meeting place.
- Support them in organising the outing where possible.
- Involve them in planning transport and timing.
- Encourage them to order their food or coffee independently if appropriate.
- Focus on the person being involved rather than the task getting done.
- Start with short outings and slowly build confidence.
Related reablement strategies
Modifying the task
Change the way a task is done so the person can take part. For example, consider a café with table service to make ordering food easier.
Building capacity
Support the person to build their strength and abilities so they can get out and about more often.
Adapting the environment
Adjust the living space to make daily life easier for the person. For example, ensure there are ramps or railings if needed for the person to exit the home safely.
Recommending assistive technology
Suggest AT that could help the person get to and enjoy social outings more easily.
Related low-risk assistive technology (AT)
- Portable seating options
- Simple communication supports
- Transport-related supports
- One-way straw
- Adaptive utensils
- Can ring pull