Within the Active Ageing context (WHO), enhancing older peoples’ quality of life by focusing on their participation is essential. Although Active Ageing is relevant in nursing homes, the nursing home residents’ autonomy and participation on organizational level are often restricted. New ways to structurally enhance their participation must be found. This article discusses possible contributions of participatory action research as structural method in a new Active Ageing-envisioned nursing home, enabling residents’ participation and focuses on the practicalities of its implementation process. During an implementation project in the nursing home, participatory action research was introduced in the nursing home as weekly activity where residents assembled to observe the nursing home operation, identify problems and make suggestions for improvement. Based on the researchers’ experiences, implementing participatory action research needs a preparation and adaptation period for the nursing home staff, the participatory action research moderators and the residents to cope with the experienced challenges. Nevertheless, participatory action research appeared feasible and can bring added value to residents’ living conditions. This article contributes to the development of the participatory action research theory and the Active Ageing implementation in nursing home, since it shows the possibilities, challenges and assets of participatory action research towards a more frail population in the nursing home environment. Participatory action research might in turn lead to the realization of Active Ageing nursing home who endeavours to optimize residents’ quality of life.