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

Animal Memory Rec

[Senior Brain Training × Care Recreation] Memory Training 18 – Dementia Prevention and Care Prevention Video for the Elderly [Fukukuru]

For people aged 75 and over, taking a cognitive function test has become mandatory to renew a driver’s license.

Even those who don’t usually have trouble remembering things can feel a bit nervous when they hear the word “test,” right? How about livening things up with a memory-training game similar to that cognitive test? Here’s a simple way to run it: first, present 8–10 animal illustrations—or words if illustrations aren’t available—have the participant memorize them, then ask them to write them down on a whiteboard.

Adjust the difficulty by changing the number of animals or the memorization time.

If you have a whiteboard, this could be fun even outdoors.

Let’s play the Same Answer game

Recreation for Seniors – Guaranteed to Get Everyone Excited! The “Write the Same Answer on the Whiteboard” Game

A popular game also enjoyed on the variety show “Hanadai-san to Chidori-kun.” It’s really easy to play and works with both small and large groups, so it’s sure to come in handy in all kinds of situations.

The rules are simple: first decide on a prompt—for example, “red foods.” Everyone imagines something and writes their answer, and if everyone matches, that’s a success.

If most people write “apple” but one person writes “tomato,” that alone somehow gets everyone excited.

It’s a fun, brain-training recreation that livens up gatherings like parties with lots of people.

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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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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Song guessing quiz

[Whiteboard Rec] Activate your brain with a “Guess the Song” quiz! What song is this? ①

Many people and facilities use karaoke for recreation.

Singing loudly can help relieve stress and is said to be good for your health.

However, you need audio equipment, and in some places you can’t make loud noises.

In such cases, this “Guess the Song” quiz comes in handy.

You list words that appear in the lyrics—like “sleep,” “octopus,” “spinning top,” “play,” “New Year”—and guess the title of the song.

By the way, the title of this song is “Oshogatsu” (New Year’s Day).

It’s a recommended activity when music lovers get together.