[For Seniors] Highlights of Fun Events at Day-Service Centers
A day service that holds events tailored to the seasons and other occasions.
Seeing the smiles of the older adults who participate and enjoy themselves really warms your heart, doesn’t it?
Many of you are probably already brainstorming ideas for the next event to make it even more enjoyable.
So this time, we’ll introduce some fun event ideas for day service programs.
We’ve selected many recreational activities that even older adults who have difficulty with physical movement can participate in.
We hope everyone has a wonderful time together.
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- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
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- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
- Seniors will love it! A roundup of popular events
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes
- Recreation Activities to Liven Up January Events for Seniors
- Entertainment ideas for year-end parties that seniors will enjoy
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- For Seniors: Fun and Engaging December Event and Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
[For Seniors] Fun Day Service Event Showcase (1–10)
dance
To liven up a fun gathering, how about giving it your all and performing a dance? Many older adults are likely familiar with “Matsuken Samba II,” which became a huge hit when Ken Matsudaira performed it in a flashy gold costume.
It’s great to perform in a sparkly outfit, but it’s also recommended to simplify the choreography and dance together with the seniors! It helps loosen up the body and can serve as light exercise, so it might be a good idea to incorporate it into regular recreational activities.
Futsal court on-site
This is a senior housing facility that includes a spacious futsal ground—something not commonly found in typical eldercare facilities.
Motivated by the desire to help seniors find purpose, they offer services that allow interaction with children and younger people.
Precisely because it has become less common to live together with elderly family members, as in the past, exchanges between seniors and children are now all the more important.
In operating the futsal court, they also anticipate various synergies, such as hosting community events and soccer clinics that include seniors.
welfare nail care
This is a facility that combines a nail salon with day care services, allowing seniors to enjoy the fun of nail care.
Some people may have never had their nails done before, so it could offer them a new sensory experience.
The idea is that by engaging in fashion and self-care, they’ll feel brighter and more motivated to go out.
By adding the element of nails to the social gatherings typical of day service facilities, it can encourage interactions like showing each other their nails, which may also increase awareness of connections with the wider community.
[For Seniors] Fun Day-Service Event Highlights (11–20)
barbecue
One outdoor activity I highly recommend for seniors to join casually is a barbecue.
Set up tents in places like a care facility’s garden or parking lot, or in a park, and enjoy some fun activities.
In addition to grilling and eating meat, vegetables, and fish, offering sweets like marshmallows is also a great idea.
Hosting events such as a singing contest or a magic show will make it even more exciting.
Gathering in a setting different from everyday life also provides an opportunity for seniors to deepen communication with one another.
Shooting game
This is a game inspired by the shooting booths you see at festivals and amusement parks.
Players hold ping-pong balls taken from a basket and try to knock down lined-up figurines and paper cups.
It can also be a lively event where participants compete to see how many items they can topple within a time limit.
It’s a good idea to prepare various types of balls—not only ping-pong balls, but also beanbags and rubber balls.
It’s a game you can enjoy while seated, just by moving your arms.
Why not try organizing an activity that brings a touch of nostalgia?
Newspaper ball rolling relay
This is a recreation activity where you compete to see how fast you can roll a ball placed on a sheet of newspaper.
It’s suitable for small to large groups, so it’s also recommended for situations where you want to promote interaction among older adults.
Arrange chairs facing each other in alternating rows, and have two people hold the ends of a sheet of newspaper.
Roll the ball you’re given onto the next person’s newspaper, and if it makes it into the basket, that’s a goal.
You can enjoy variety by rolling different types of balls, such as a regular ball, beanbags, or a beach ball.
Give this event a try to experience the fun and sense of unity that comes from doing an activity together.
Gardening
It is said that growing plants stimulates the senses—such as sight, touch, and smell—evokes old memories, and enriches one’s sensitivity.
This time, we did one aspect of gardening called “yoseue,” in which multiple flowers are planted together in a pot filled with soil.
By combining vividly colored flowers for a gorgeous look or using cute blossoms to create a delicate mood, each person can express their own style.
Even those who don’t often have the chance to handle soil can enjoy it both physically and mentally.
Now, let’s all give it a try.