For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
For the physical and mental well-being of older adults, rehabilitation that involves moving the arms and legs is ideal.
However, simply following a set rehabilitation routine doesn’t always lead to motivation.
In this article, we introduce enjoyable recreational activities that contribute to arm and leg rehabilitation for older adults.
From group activities that everyone can get excited about to options you can focus on individually, you’ll surely find fun ways to work on functional improvement.
Choose according to each person’s physical and mental condition.
We hope you find this helpful.
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Liven Things Up! A Collection of Brain Training Activities That Will Spark Laughter
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Core Training: Recommended Simple Rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Introducing Recreational Activities Anyone Can Enjoy at Geriatric Health Facilities!
- [For Seniors] Leg and lower-back training: Fall prevention
- For seniors: Leg-strengthening exercises you can do without overexertion.
- Recreation Activities Effective for Long-Term Care Prevention for Seniors
[For Older Adults] Effective for Preventing Care Needs! Fun Recreational Activities (21–30)
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Volleyball using a bigger balloon than a regular one is really exciting, isn’t it? Older adults will probably see the big balloon and think, “Wow, that’s huge!” By calling out to each other to keep the rally going and helping toss the big balloon, everyone can cooperate more, which may increase interaction among participants.
Placing a table in the center makes it easier to keep the rally going.
Since big-balloon volleyball sometimes uses both hands, it also helps move the body in a well-balanced way on the left and right.
Giant Balloon Volleyball
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One of the great things about balloon volleyball is that you can adapt it using everyday items.
Try a supersized version by putting five inflated balloons into a clear trash bag.
It’s especially fun and colorful if each balloon is a different color.
Have older adults seated in chairs rally the giant balloon back and forth.
You can arrange everyone in a circle, or split into two teams for a head-to-head match to make it even more exciting.
Because the balloon is so big, the amount of force you use may feel different than usual.
That difference—and the novelty—are part of what makes this game enjoyable.
Simple Balloon Volley
This is balloon volleyball, where you rally a balloon that floats gently through the air.
Ask older adults to sit on chairs in a circle and try to keep the balloon from touching the floor.
It helps to have someone in the center who can provide support so the rally continues more easily.
Balloons feel soft and are light, making them safer and less likely to cause injury for older participants.
Trying not to drop the balloon also encourages interaction among everyone.
With lively chatter and a fun atmosphere, older adults can enjoy balloon volleyball too.
Brain training with gojūon (Japanese syllabary) cards
As we age, it seems we may sometimes forget words.
So let’s use a set of kana cards to stimulate the brain.
First, arrange the cards in order starting from the A-row together with the older adult.
The act of arranging itself is said to help activate the brain.
Use the cards to form words—the more letters a word has, the higher the points.
Additionally, once a card has been used to make a word, it cannot be used again.
Treat voiced and semi-voiced marks (dakuten and handakuten) as a single card and make them count for points as well.
If someone can’t think of a word, it’s helpful for those around to offer hints like, “Let’s think of a word that starts with A.”
Okonomiyaki Game
Draw pictures of okonomiyaki or stick photos on pieces of cardboard to make several “okonomiyaki.” It’s a game where you compete to see how many you can flip with a spatula within the time limit.
Any that fall off the table while flipping don’t count.
It’s thrilling to see how many you can flip!