Open house events in nursing homes usually serve as a welcoming opportunity to showcase the facility’s services, atmosphere, and quality of care to families, potential residents, and the local community.

These events create a positive first impression by highlighting not just the physical environment, but also the warmth and professionalism of the staff.

They also provide transparency, allowing visitors to see daily life within the nursing home, engage with residents, and build trust in the organization’s commitment to compassionate care.

If you own or manage a nursing home, here are some of the best memorable open house ideas for nursing homes.

Best Open House Ideas for Nursing Homes

1. Guided Facility Tours

Trained staff or volunteers can walk families and guests through resident rooms, common areas, dining spaces, therapy centers, and outdoor gardens.

Along the way, they can highlight key features such as safety measures, amenities, and specialized care programs.

Providing brochures or maps enhances the experience, while answering questions in real-time builds trust.

This hands-on approach allows visitors to see the facility in action, ensuring transparency and a stronger connection to your services.

2. Meet-and-Greet with Staff

Hosting a meet-and-greet session with staff allows families and visitors to interact directly with caregivers, nurses, and administrators.

This personal touch helps humanize the facility and demonstrates the dedication of your team.

You can set up small stations where staff explain their roles and share stories about resident care.

Families feel reassured when they meet the professionals who will care for their loved ones.

Light refreshments and an informal setting make the event warm and approachable, creating lasting positive impressions of your nursing home.

3. Resident Activity Demonstrations

Showcasing resident activities during the open house is a great way to demonstrate the vibrant community life in your nursing home.

This could include art classes, music therapy, chair yoga, or gardening sessions.

Visitors can join in or observe how residents engage in meaningful activities.

Displaying artwork or crafts made by residents adds a personal touch and sparks conversations.

These demonstrations highlight your commitment to promoting mental, emotional, and social well-being, showing families that life at your facility extends beyond medical care.

4. Health and Wellness Booths

Setting up health and wellness booths during your open house adds value for both residents and visitors.

Stations might include blood pressure checks, nutrition advice, fitness tips, or stress management techniques.

Partnering with local healthcare providers or wellness professionals can enhance credibility.

These booths serve as both educational and interactive elements, giving families a glimpse into the preventative and holistic care your nursing home supports.

Offering free wellness resources, pamphlets, or samples ensures guests leave with something tangible.

5. Family Testimonial Presentations

Including family testimonial sessions can be very powerful during an open house.

Invite current residents or their families to share their experiences through short speeches, video clips, or written displays.

Hearing authentic stories about compassionate care, positive staff relationships, and meaningful activities reassures prospective families.

These testimonials build credibility and trust far more effectively than brochures or advertisements alone.

By highlighting real-life experiences, your nursing home demonstrates transparency, reliability, and a genuine dedication to resident satisfaction.

6. Live Entertainment

Incorporating live entertainment creates a festive and inviting atmosphere for your open house.

Consider hiring local musicians, choirs, or cultural performers to entertain both visitors and residents.

Live music or performances can showcase the nursing home’s emphasis on joy, recreation, and community spirit.

Families will appreciate seeing their loved ones engaged and enjoying the event, while prospective residents feel reassured about the vibrant lifestyle your facility promotes.

Entertainment also serves as a natural icebreaker, encouraging conversations among staff, residents, and families in a relaxed setting.

7. Themed Open House Events

Organizing your open house around a theme adds excitement and memorability.

For example, you could host a spring garden party, a holiday celebration, or even a cultural festival.

Decorations, food, and activities can be tailored to match the theme, creating a cohesive and engaging atmosphere.

Themed events make the open house feel special rather than routine, drawing in more visitors.

They also allow families to see how your nursing home embraces creativity, seasonal activities, and cultural inclusivity.

8. Interactive Q&A Sessions

Hosting interactive question-and-answer sessions during the open house provides families with the chance to directly address their concerns.

Administrators, nurses, and caregivers can sit on a panel to answer questions about care services, safety measures, activities, and policies.

This transparency demonstrates your facility’s openness and willingness to engage.

Providing note cards or digital forms for anonymous questions ensures everyone feels comfortable participating.

These sessions not only build trust but also allow your team to highlight strengths and address common misconceptions about nursing home care.

9. Dining Experience Sampling

Food plays a huge role in the quality of life for nursing home residents, making dining experiences a valuable open house feature.

Prepare a sample menu for guests to taste, showcasing the variety and quality of meals offered.

Families can enjoy snacks, desserts, or small portions of resident favorites.

Including dietary-specific options, such as diabetic-friendly or soft foods, reassures families about your flexibility and nutritional care.

This activity demonstrates your commitment to both health and enjoyment, giving guests confidence in the dining experience their loved ones will receive.

10. Community Partner Exhibits

Inviting local organizations, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or senior activity groups, to set up exhibits during your open house builds credibility and expands resources for families.

These partnerships highlight your nursing home’s connection to the wider community and commitment to comprehensive care.

Families benefit by discovering additional services available for seniors. Exhibits can include information tables, health screenings, or volunteer opportunities.

This collaboration strengthens your nursing home’s reputation as part of a supportive care network while offering visitors a one-stop opportunity to explore resources.

11. Memory Care Education Sessions

If your facility provides memory care, hosting educational sessions during the open house can be highly impactful.

Staff can discuss strategies for dementia care, showcase sensory activities, or explain safety features designed for memory support.

Including demonstrations, such as memory-stimulating games or sensory tools, makes the session interactive.

These sessions highlight your expertise and reassure families that loved ones with cognitive challenges will receive attentive, professional, and personalized care in your facility.

12. Volunteer Program Showcases

Showcasing volunteer opportunities during the open house emphasizes community involvement and provides another way for families to stay engaged.

Highlight programs such as visiting companions, activity assistants, or student partnerships.

Showcasing volunteerism highlights the collaborative, family-like atmosphere in your nursing home and reflects your facility’s commitment to enriching residents’ social and emotional well-being.

13. Art and Photo Exhibits

Hosting an art or photo exhibit during the open house gives residents a chance to showcase their creativity.

Residents can display their artwork, crafts, or photography for visitors to admire.

This not only boosts resident pride but also allows families to see how talents and hobbies are encouraged.

Exhibits provide meaningful talking points and highlight the nursing home’s efforts to promote individuality and personal expression.

Pairing the exhibit with storytelling opportunities, where residents explain their pieces, strengthens the emotional connection between your community and visitors.

14. Wellness and Fitness Demonstrations

Showcasing fitness and wellness activities during the open house illustrates your nursing home’s commitment to healthy living.

Demonstrations may include chair exercises, stretching routines, or group yoga tailored to seniors.

Visitors can watch or even participate, gaining insight into how physical activity is encouraged safely.

Staff can also share tips on maintaining mobility and independence for older adults.

These demonstrations help families visualize how residents stay active and engaged, while residents feel proud to show their routines.

15. Raffle Prizes and Giveaways

Adding raffles and giveaways creates excitement and encourages participation during your open house.

Prizes can include gift baskets, wellness products, or handmade crafts from residents.

Giving away branded items such as tote bags, pens, or mugs ensures families leave with a reminder of your facility.

Raffles and small contests keep visitors engaged and add a fun, celebratory touch to the event.

This idea not only entertains guests but also makes the open house more memorable, leaving them with a tangible connection to your nursing home community.