What to do when a resident becomes unresponsive during a group activity

As a care home activity coordinator, your role is to create engaging, meaningful experiences for residents.

However, in the middle of a group activity, you may find yourself in a situation where a resident becomes unresponsive.

This can be a frightening moment, and knowing how to react calmly and appropriately is essential for both the resident’s safety and the wellbeing of those around you.

The first and most important thing to do is stay calm. Your response will set the tone for the rest of the group.

Take a deep breath and assess the situation:

- Is the resident simply momentarily disengaged, or are they showing signs of a medical emergency?

- Are they still breathing? Do they appear confused or faint?

- Can they respond if you gently say their name or touch their hand?

If the resident is still breathing but unresponsive to verbal cues, they may be experiencing fatigue, low blood sugar, dehydration, or a moment of disorientation. If they are not breathing or they are showing signs of a stroke, seizure, or other medical emergency, seek immediate medical help by alerting care staff.

If you determine that the resident needs medical attention, signal for a nurse or carer discreetly. Avoid alarming the rest of the group, but ensure that help arrives quickly. If necessary, stop the activity briefly to provide reassurance to others while ensuring the unresponsive resident gets the care they need.

Residents who witness an incident may feel worried or distressed. Once help is on the way, reassure the rest of the group that everything is being handled and encourage them to remain calm.

If appropriate, gently shift their attention to a quieter activity while care is being provided.

Depending on the severity of the situation, you may decide to continue the session once things are under control, or you may choose to bring it to a close.

If the group is visibly shaken, switching to a calming activity, such as music, deep breathing, or a simple reminiscing chat, can help ease tension.

Advice for Care Home Entertainers

As a visiting entertainer, you may not be familiar with the individual medical needs of residents.

If you notice someone becoming unresponsive during your performance:

- Pause discreetly and signal a staff member for assistance.

- Avoid drawing attention to the situation to prevent distress among the audience.

- If safe to do so, continue the performance at a quieter pace while care staff attend to the resident.

Your role is to support the wellbeing of everyone in the room, so following the lead of care staff and maintaining a calm atmosphere is key.

While rare, moments like these serve as a reminder of the importance of teamwork in a care setting. Being prepared, staying calm, and knowing when to seek help will ensure that residents are safe and supported at all times.

Activity coordinators and entertainers alike play a crucial role in creating a positive environment, even in unexpected situations.

Please note that this blog serves only as a guide for this situation, and is not a intended to serve as the go to point for procedures regarding this subject. My advice for those working regularly in any particular care home, is to ask the manager what steps you should take, should anything untoward happen during your group activity provision.