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

Seated Rhythm Exercises to Classic Showa-Era Hits

Seated rhythm and singing exercises! Let’s exercise to classic hits from the Showa era!

This time, we’ll introduce a singing exercise routine that moves your body to nostalgic Showa-era classics.

Since it involves physical movement, it’s best to start with songs at a slower tempo.

When you move your body to music, your brain continuously engages in activities like keeping rhythm, coordinating movement, and deciding what to do next.

Because of this, the abundant stimulation activates the brain and is said to offer cognitive training benefits.

Once you get used to it, adding singing while you move can further stimulate your brain.

Do it within a comfortable range, and enjoy yourself as you go.

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kojifumi

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playing rock-paper-scissors after seeing the opponent’s move (i.e., acting with hindsight/cheating)

[Brain Training] Brain Exercise Gymnastics for Seniors! After-the-Fact Rock-Paper-Scissors [Mental Workout]

Aft-hand rock-paper-scissors is a recreation where you throw your hand in response to the already-shown hand according to the instruction “win,” “lose,” or “tie.” Because it’s an arrangement of a game everyone knows, it’s simple enough for anyone to join, yet it also serves as brain training that requires split-second judgment and quick hand movements.

You can also add various rules like “win with your right hand” or “lose with your left hand,” so you can keep it interesting without getting bored.

It can be played anywhere, so it’s highly recommended.

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kojifumi

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Ehomaki Game

[Setsubun Recreation] [Day Service] [Day Service Recreation] Ehomaki Setsubun Recreation Ehomaki Rolling Game

Let’s turn the ehomaki we eat on Setsubun into a game.

Ehomaki are filled with lots of ingredients, right? On top of paper “nori” and “rice,” place ingredients made from long, thin strips of construction paper or fabric.

The key is to prepare colors that look like real ehomaki fillings, such as red and green.

Then, using both hands, roll it up as if you were making a real sushi roll.

When it’s finished, face the lucky direction for that year and take a big bite.

This idea of making ehomaki from paper or fabric seems like something older adults would also enjoy.

It’s a perfect game to do in February.

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Nakajima Junko

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Evil Spirit Banishment Game

Evil Spirit Banishment Game #caregiving #nursinghome #carefacility #recreation #rec #elderly #dayservice #Asokaen #KitasunaHome #game

We’d like to introduce a game for driving away evil spirits by fanning them off with a paper fan.

First, attach a photo of a person to a plastic bottle, pour in a little water, and stand it on a table.

Draw a picture of an evil spirit on a plastic bag with a felt-tip pen, then slip the bag over the bottle with the staff member’s photo on it.

Hand a paper fan to each participant, and at the signal to start, have them fan to drive away the evil spirit.

Using real photos of people will likely spark laughter with comments like “They’re possessed!” and “They’re saved!” Because participants need to fan vigorously, it can also serve as an exercise for the wrists and arms.

This activity is also recommended as a recreation for senior care facilities.

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kojifumi

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Hand-wrapping newspaper

Senior activity: super easy, can be done seated with both hands or one hand—newspaper roll-up. #RecreationForSeniors #Newspaper #Easy

Here’s a fun recreation activity using newspaper! The rules are simple: compete to see how fast you can roll up the newspaper using your hands.

You can make it more fun by setting different rules, like using both hands or only one hand.

Another exciting variation is to face each other and roll up the same sheet of newspaper from opposite ends to see who can roll up more.

The heated competition will get older adults watching to enjoy it together as well! This activity can be done while seated, so people who have difficulty standing or who use a wheelchair can also take part.

Handmade spinning top

A Must-See Day Service Recreation! Handmade Spinning Tops by Participants

Let’s play with spinning tops made from origami.

Are you familiar with tops crafted from origami? There are types that look like flowers with a cross-shaped handle in the center for spinning, and ones where a toothpick is inserted into the center of a square top.

Some folding methods are complex, but older adults who enjoy origami will likely have fun making them.

Let’s spin the origami tops everyone has folded.

Both making the origami and spinning the tops use the fingertips, making it good training.

With the nostalgic game of spinning tops, older adults can relive their childhood and enjoy a pleasant time.

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Nakajima Junko

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Easy to make! Ping-pong Ball Bingo

[Simple! Elderly care recreation] Fun! Ping-pong Ball Bingo Game!!

Bingo is usually something you enjoy on paper, but how about trying a more game-like version? Ping-Pong Ball Bingo is a tabletop bingo game using an egg carton and ping-pong balls.

To make the base, simply prepare four empty egg cartons, open them up, and staple the four together—done! To play, place the egg cartons in the middle of the table and bounce ping-pong balls on the table so they land in the cartons.

If you line up three or more balls of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, you win.

Split into teams by ball color and face off!

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utatane

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