It is known that providing interesting and enjoyable nursing home activities is essential to the physical, emotional and mental health of the seniors living there. But there might be even more here:

According to the Public Library of Science Medicine, loneliness, as a health risk factor, is twice as detrimental as being obese, and equal to the risk of smoking cigarettes and alcoholism. Less frequent participation in social activities is associated with a more rapid rate of motor decline in old age.[2] And, according to the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, over an average of five years, seniors who were the most socially active experienced only one-fourth the rate of cognitive decline compared to those with the lowest levels of social activity.

All the more reasons to understand the value of activity directors!!