Documentation Power Tools                                                   25 years experience in long term care

Goals for Activities Care Plans 

The care plan goal can be to prevent a potential problem from occurring, to maintain a present status or level of functional ability, or to resolve a currently existing problem.

Elements to focus on in writing the goal are that it is:

Appropriate - for the resident’s needs, strengths, abilities, and cultural background

Realistic - reasonably attainable

Measurable – able to be objectively observed and evaluated

Specific – each problem has a goal specific to it, although each problem may have more than one goal, example:

Resident will complete activities without injury

Resident will verbalize positive feelings about new activity

Resident centered – stated in terms of the resident’s actions

Time framed – gives a target date or time estimate for attainment of the goal

Individualized – to the resident’s unique deficits, traits, and preferences

Goals are usually stated in terms of an action the resident will perform, such as: 

Resident will demonstrate safe use of activity materials by Sept. 3

Entries in the goal column of the care plan should be initialed and dated when entered, changed, or deleted. 

Excerpts from Guidance to Surveyors of Long Term Care Facilities, State Operations Manual, Pub.100-07, State Operations Provider Certification, Appendix PP/F248, Activities and F249, Activity Director, CMS, June 1, 2006: 

“Activities” refer to any endeavor, other than routine ADLs, in which a resident participates that is intended to enhance her/his sense of well-being and to promote or enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional health.  These include, but are not limited to, activities that promote self-esteem, pleasure, comfort, education, creativity, success, and independence.   

Goals should have measurable objectives and be focused on desired outcomes (e.g., engagement in an activity that matches the resident’s ability, maintaining attention to the activity for a specified period of time, expressing satisfaction with the activity verbally or non-verbally), not merely on attendance at a certain number of activities per week.  

Studies have recently been conducted by government agencies on the activity preferences of long term care facility residents. When asked about their goals of activity participation, residents overwhelmingly assigned priority to dignity, independence, and “positive self-image.

                   More information about activities care plans can be found in the book:                      Activities Care Plans for Long Term Care