[Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
At day service centers, many older adults likely look forward to enjoying recreation and games.
Staff members are probably trying different ideas every day to provide activities that never get boring.
In this article, we’ve picked out recreational activities that can be enjoyed by small and large groups alike.
Taking part in competitive games can also create opportunities for deeper interaction among older adults.
We’ve gathered a wide range—from sports- and exercise-themed activities to those that challenge thinking skills—so please use them as a reference!
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[Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities (171–180)
Pass-through game
If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to set up and sure to liven things up, the “Through-the-Wall Game” is perfect for staff at senior care facilities.
Line up plastic bottles or paper cups to make a wall, and have players roll a ball through without hitting it—a very simple game.
You can play it on a table or on the floor, so it’s recommended to set it up according to the seniors’ condition.
Feel free to decorate the plastic bottles to match seasonal events! You can also adjust the difficulty by preparing balls of different weights and types.
Baseball card game
This is a card game where, just like real baseball, players alternate between offense and defense to try to score points.
For defense, you prepare ball cards that show different pitch types, and for offense, you prepare bat cards that show pitch types.
At a signal, both players reveal their cards while trying to predict the opponent’s choice.
If the pitch type on the cards matches, the offensive player scores points, so the key is the mind game of anticipating your opponent’s card.
It’s a game that gives your brain a workout through prediction while also naturally sparking conversations about baseball.
A bingo game that uses both the head and the body to have fun
This is a game where you toss beanbags into targets arranged in a grid, aiming to line up a row.
By adjusting the number and size of the squares and the distance to the targets, you can tailor the rules to the participants and make it exciting.
The key is how you throw the beanbags so they reach the targets; it helps build concentration for gauging distances to far objects and for adjusting throwing strength.
Assess your own abilities carefully and decide which targets you’re more likely to reach.
balloon volleyball
Balloon volleyball is such a wonderful recreational activity that everyone can enjoy together, isn’t it? Watching the balloon float gently through the air is kind of exciting, isn’t it? People who use wheelchairs can join in as well, which makes it great for bringing everyone together.
The hand movements when hitting the balloon and the eye movements when following it are also good exercise for the body and mind.
Since teams work together to keep the balloon in play, conversations naturally start to flow.
It sounds like a fun time full of smiles.
It’s safe, too, so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
I’m sure it will make for wonderful memories.
Spot the difference
Isn’t “spot the difference” a game that people of all ages can enjoy? Spot-the-difference also helps improve spatial awareness and concentration, making it ideal for brain training and dementia prevention for seniors! Have participants compare two illustrations and find three differences.
For day-service recreational activities, it’s recommended to start with easier versions rather than difficult ones.
Once everyone gets used to it, gradually increase the difficulty.
Adding a time limit and having people compete will also boost the game’s appeal.
[Elderly Day Service] Let's all have fun! Games and recreational activities (181–190)
Maki-Maki Game
This is a game that also helps train the wrists and fingertips through the motion of winding a string.
A string is attached to a cardboard roll (like a wrapping core), and by quickly winding it up, you pull a box attached to the end of the string toward you.
If you play it as a competition, you become more conscious of speed, which further trains hand movement and concentration.
Using a box as the item to pull lets you focus on hand strength, while arranging it with something like a tray carrying objects could help develop more delicate hand movements.
Crossword
How about a crossword puzzle game where players fill in the common hiragana that fit the blanks, as a brain-training activity for seniors? Regularly stimulating the brain can help prevent dementia, so consider incorporating it into day service recreation! At first, seniors might not be used to it and may have trouble answering.
In that case, it’s fine for the quizmaster to get creative with hints and other aids.
Once they get the hang of it, adding elements like a time limit to boost the game-like feel can make it even more exciting.