Lovely senior life

Performances to Liven Up New Year Parties for Elderly Care Facility Staff

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

A New Year’s party is an event to celebrate the start of a new year and refresh our spirits.

Of course we exchange New Year’s greetings, but we also want to make it a joyful gathering where we can share the excitement of the year’s beginning.

With that in mind, we’ve put together ideas for performances and activities suitable for a New Year’s party for staff.

Many of these are primarily carried out by staff members, but it’s even more enjoyable if you find ways for older adults to join in—like clapping along or singing together.

Preparing props for a lion dance or making omikuji (fortune slips) can be a lot of work, but it could be nice to have the older adults help during a pre–New Year’s party recreation session.

[For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Entertainment Ideas to Liven Up New Year’s Parties (21–30)

Matsuken Samba

[Respect-for-the-Aged Celebration] Performed the Matsuken Samba at the day service in 2021

Matsuken Samba

Released in 2004, “Matsuken Samba” is apparently still popular today.

The Matsuken Samba collaboration café held in Shibuya, Tokyo, drew huge crowds—the numbered tickets sold out, and the items on sale became a hot topic.

Many people, including seniors who might find it energizing, seem to love “Matsuken Samba.” Ken Matsudaira singing and dancing in dazzling costumes leaves a strong impression.

If you perform the song and dance from “Matsuken Samba” at a birthday party, it’s sure to be a hit.

Of course, we also recommend that the staff members performing wear flashy, glamorous outfits.

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Season of Love

[Respect-for-the-Aged Day Celebration] We performed 'Koi no Kisetsu' at the day service. 2022

Season of Love

Let’s perform a dance to Pinky & the Killers’ song “Koi no Kisetsu” for an older adult’s birthday.

Just like Pinky & the Killers, wear a rounded derby hat with a curled brim and dance.

Of course, singing is a great option too.

Both the dance and the song set to “Koi no Kisetsu” are likely to delight seniors.

Some may even have personal memories connected to this song.

As they listen, it might bring back recollections of those days.

It’s a recreation activity that can spark conversation and make the celebration even livelier.

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[For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Performances to Liven Up New Year Parties (31–40)

Shopping Boogie

[Respect-for-the-Aged Day Event] Performed the “Shopping Boogie” at the day service. 2023

Shopping Boogie

“Kaimono Boogie” was released in 1950 (Showa 25) and became a big hit.

Many seniors have probably heard it, haven’t they? It has also been covered by many artists up to the present day.

With its cheerful, lively melody, just listening to “Kaimono Boogie” makes your heart feel light.

Why not have the staff put on a dance performance to the song? If you dress up like a housewife going shopping, wearing an apron, it’ll be perfect.

Both men and women can get into character as housewives and perform the dance for a fun birthday party.

It’s sure to satisfy the seniors as well.

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In conclusion

How was that? We’ve gathered a perfect selection of performances for staff to put on at New Year’s parties in senior care facilities.

There were plenty of fun ideas to watch, like the auspicious shishimai (lion dance), daruma dance, omikuji (fortune slips), and the two-person boshi performance.

As you begin a new year, I hope you get off to a fun and joyful start.