For seniors: Recommended for day services. Hands-on activities that help prevent dementia.
As we age, our muscle strength declines, making fine, hands-on tasks more difficult.
Because the nerves in our hands are connected to the brain, it’s said that moving our hands can help prevent dementia.
In this article, we introduce hands-on recreational activities for day service programs that train both the fingers and the brain.
With a focus on craft-based activities and finger-use games, they also help improve concentration.
Craft activities let participants enjoy the fun of creating, too.
There are many ideas to choose from, so try starting with the hands-on activities you’re most interested in.
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- [For Seniors] Ideal for Finger Rehabilitation: A Collection of Simple Ideas Made with Yarn
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- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
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- [Evolving Daycare Services] A summary of engaging recreational initiatives that excite older adults
- [For Seniors] Get Started Easily: Simple Handicraft Kit Ideas
[For Seniors] Recommended for Day Service: Hands-on Activities (1–10) That Help Prevent Dementia
Activities of daily living with a towel
Let’s try training activities of daily living using a towel.
Activities of daily living (ADL) refer to the minimum actions needed to maintain everyday life and serve as an index for assessing one’s ability to function.
When ADL declines, it can lead to deteriorating physical health and loss of independence.
We’ll do easy exercises using a towel.
Use your fingers to fold the towel into a small square, and perform movements that mimic washing your upper body, feet, and back to build muscle strength.
These exercises may also help stimulate brain activity.
LEGO
When you think of LEGO, you might picture children’s toys, but in fact there are many products aimed at adults as well.
From beautiful flowers and plants to adorable animals, and even models that rival plastic model kits like battleships and buildings… There’s a wide range of high-quality sets that, once completed, can double as interior decor.
They take patience to build, but they’re perfect for those who want to enjoy working steadily day by day over time.
Be sure to look for a LEGO set you’d love to create.
nanoblock
Nanoblock seems great for training your dexterity, too.
There are lots of building block toys out there, but Nanoblock is characterized by its very small pieces.
That’s precisely why it can capture delicate colors and shapes, and when completed it has a beauty almost like a painting.
The finished models are palm-sized and compact, so they’re easy to display without taking up space—another nice plus.
It’s definitely a hobby for adults, so why not find a design you love and give it a try? It’s a sure way to kill time!
[For Seniors] Recommended for Day Service: Hands-on Activities (11–20) That Help Prevent Dementia
A simple activity using ohajiki (small traditional Japanese game pieces)
Some older adults may have played ohajiki when they were young or with their children.
Here are some simple recreational activities you can do with ohajiki.
Beyond lining them up on a table or floor and flicking one with your finger to hit another, there are many ways to play.
For example, you can play a curling-like game by flicking ohajiki onto a sheet with a circle and point values, or stack the pieces upward.
With a bit of creativity, it seems there are plenty of ways to enjoy ohajiki.
In addition to using your fingertips, these games can help improve concentration and promote communication.
Paper Core Bowling
Back in the Showa era, there was a time when bowling was hugely popular.
Some older adults may have been into bowling back then.
Let’s rekindle those memories and get our fingers moving with a bowling game.
Use toilet paper rolls as pins, and a lightweight rubber ball that doesn’t feel heavy to knock them down.
Since it can be played on a table, people who have difficulty standing can participate as well.
Keeping score like in real bowling will make it even more exciting.
Handmade spinning top
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.
Ping-pong ball transfer
Here’s a simple, hands-on game you can enjoy casually.
Make a hole in a paper plate that’s slightly larger than a ping-pong ball, and attach a pair of chopsticks to the back.
You might reinforce the rim of the paper plate with vinyl tape or similar.
Put ping-pong balls in a shallow basket or tray, and use the paper plate with chopsticks you made to scoop them up.
You can compete to see who scoops a ball the fastest or who collects the most balls.
Of course, it also works as a solo game you can focus on by yourself.