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] Enjoy Day Care: A Compilation of Games and Recreational Activities (211–220)

Ball-Picking Game

This is so fun! A ball-picking game ⚾️ #seniors #recreation #ballgames #dayservice #shorts

Ball-Picking Game

When April comes, the weather becomes mild and there are more pleasantly warm days, don’t you think? It’s also a time when it’s easier to move your body, so why not have some fun with a simple game? Here’s a ball-collecting game that uses lots of balls.

Roll many balls across a table toward older adults seated in chairs.

The seated participants holding containers will pick up the balls as they roll toward them.

Since it can be done while seated, it’s accessible for those who have difficulty standing or for older adults who use wheelchairs.

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Recommended for recreation! Hōrun Bingo

Let’s get started together! New Sports – Hōrun Bingo Edition – [Official Niimi City]

Recommended for recreation! Hōrun Bingo

Let me introduce “Hōrun Bingo,” a bingo game with elements of sports that gets you moving.

Draw lines on the floor to make a grid where each row has five squares.

You can use sturdy rope or masking tape, so it’s a game you can enjoy anywhere.

Throw a ball into the grid; if you line up three or more in a row, you score points, and you get higher points for four or five in a row.

Decide how many rounds to play and compete on total points.

It’s usually played standing, but you can change the throwing position and try it while seated in a chair too.

It’s an easy bingo game to customize with your own rules.

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Have fun catching the ball with your body

[Senior Recreation] No touching others! Ball-based recreation [Preventive Care]

Have fun catching the ball with your body

A recommended recreation activity for seniors using a rubber ball.

Rubber balls don’t slip easily, so they’re easier to catch.

This time, work in pairs and toss the ball back and forth, catching it by clamping it between your hands.

It seems like it will train your reaction speed more than catching with your palms.

Switching to one-handed catches or knee catches also adds excitement, so they’re recommended.

Receiving the ball in various ways can help stimulate both mind and body.

A key point is not to overinflate the ball so it’s easier to grip.

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Total Concentration PET-bottle Kendama

[May 14 Today’s Brain Training at the Store: Preventive Care] Total Concentration! Kendama with a Plastic Bottle and Paper Cup

Total Concentration PET-bottle Kendama

Did you know that May 14 is Kendama Day? It’s said that when older adults play kendama, it brings back memories and activates the brain.

Also, moving the arms and fingertips and guiding the body to a target position is very good for both the brain and the body.

Why not try making this kendama yourself and playing with it? It’s easy to make: tie a string to the opening of a plastic bottle, and attach a paper cup to the other end of the string.

That’s it! Hold the bottle by the body and try to catch the opening side with the paper cup to play.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Disposable Chopstick Picking Game

Recreation for seniors: super easy, can be done while seated—Chopstick-Grabbing Game #SeniorRecreation #ActivitiesForSeniors #CareRecreation #SeatedActivities

Disposable Chopstick Picking Game

It’s a game where you twist a bundle of disposable chopsticks into a standing tower and then pull out one chopstick at a time; whoever topples the tower loses.

You’re tested on fine motor skills, like judging which chopsticks affect the balance and how to pull them out so the force doesn’t transfer through the structure.

The careful yet quick pulling motion is also crucial for maintaining balance, so keep your focus and sense of speed sharp.

It’s also interesting that as the number of remaining sticks decreases, the ability to judge the overall balance becomes even more important.

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