Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoyment at Day Care: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’ve put together a collection of games and recreational activities that can be enjoyed at day care.

We introduce plenty of options, including simple games you can play while seated, brain-training games, and activities that help with hand and finger rehabilitation—so please use them as a reference.

Some activities require props, but they’re simple to make using recycled materials or items from 100-yen shops, making them easy for older adults to recreate.

Give them a try with everyone during recreation time or in small breaks.

[For Seniors] Enjoying Daycare: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities (51–60)

Fireworks game

“Fireworks game” to close out the summer. If you’ve had fewer chances to set off or go see fireworks, let’s make a grand display to end the season!

Fireworks game

This is a target-throwing game themed around fireworks, an essential summer event, where you colorfully decorate the target.

The target is a hula hoop covered with tape, and you throw colored balls at it to decorate the adhesive side of the tape.

Since you need to throw with enough force for the balls to stick to the tape, the game tests not only your focus on aiming but also your ability to control strength.

You can freely choose the colors of the balls, so think about how you want to create your firework as you throw.

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Singing game of “Antagata Dokosa”

[Dementia Prevention] Do brain training by playing the song game 'Antagata Dokosa'!!

Singing game of “Antagata Dokosa”

Some older adults may have memories of playing ball games to the temari song “Antagata Dokosa.” Here’s a finger play that matches the “Antagata Dokosa” song.

Make a gun shape and a fox shape with your fingers to match the imagery in the lyrics.

To the melody, alternate the finger shapes between left and right.

Once you get used to it, try speeding up the tempo.

In addition to moving your fingers, taking on tasks that feel “a bit difficult” is also said to activate the brain.

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Ochyaraka Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise

Finger Play Brain Training: Ocharaka Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise Part 1 #funny #braintraining #fun #recreation

Ochyaraka Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise

Ocharaka is a face-to-face rock-paper-scissors game played in pairs.

You do rock-paper-scissors to the lyrics of the children’s song “Ocharaka Hoi,” and strike a pose for win, loss, or tie.

It lets you play rock-paper-scissors at a lively tempo and is perfect as a finger exercise.

Many older adults may also be familiar with Ocharaka.

Through playing Ocharaka rock-paper-scissors, some people might recall memories from their childhood.

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Count numbers alternately

[Finger Exercises, 3 Types] Alternating number counting is simple yet difficult [Dementia Prevention]

Count numbers alternately

Aren’t there many senior and welfare facilities that incorporate finger exercises? Counting with your fingers is said to be a simple yet very profound exercise.

Make a fist with one hand and, with the other hand, raise the same number of fingers as the number you say out loud.

Alternate between left and right.

Once you get used to it, try adding movements such as clapping in between or crossing your hands.

This increases the difficulty.

Performing multiple actions at the same time is also said to help prevent falls.

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target practice

Feel the Summer! Easy Recreation Using Traditional Uchiwa Fans [Elderly Recreation / Day Service Recreation]

target practice

A target-hitting game using uchiwa fans is recommended for older adults because it helps improve concentration.

First, prepare a garment rack, hang uchiwa fans on the hangers, and draw point values on them.

You can throw anything—beanbags, balls, even uchiwa fans.

It’s a competitive game where the player with the highest total of the points they hit wins.

Competing together also enhances communication skills.

It’s appealing because it can be enjoyed as either an individual or team match.

If you draw summery designs on the uchiwa used as targets, you can fully enjoy the season and savor a summery atmosphere.

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