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] Recommended for Day Service: Handicraft Activities That Help Prevent Dementia (41–50)
Moshikame Goo-Paa Hand Play
Let’s do the open-and-close hand exercise along with the children’s song “The Hare and the Tortoise.” When you make a fist, move your thumbs either outside or tucked inside.
Doing it while singing is expected to further stimulate brain activity.
Match the movements to the lyrics: have both thumbs move the same way, or have each thumb move differently.
As you might guess, making them move differently is more challenging.
Once you get used to the thumb movements, give it a try.
It’s said that tasks that feel a bit harder than your usual movements are more effective at activating the brain.
[For Seniors] Recommended for Day Service: Hands-on Activities for Dementia Prevention (51–60)
Finger rotation exercise
Let me introduce a finger-rotation exercise where you touch the same fingers of both hands together and rotate them.
This exercise was devised by an internist, and it’s said to help improve cognitive function, speed-reading ability, and calculation skills.
Amazingly, more than a third of the cerebrum is devoted to moving and controlling the hands and fingers.
So simply moving your fingers stimulates and activates the brain.
Since you’ll be moving your fingers, it might help to gently massage the bases of your fingers before you start.
The motion is simple—just twirling your fingers—so it seems easy to fit into small pockets of time.
Origami Tetris
Three-dimensional and fun! Here’s an idea for origami Tetris.
Many of you have probably played Tetris on a computer or game console, right? This time, let’s make tetrominoes—just like they jumped out of the game world—using origami.
All you need is origami paper and scissors or a craft knife.
You’ll divide a 15 cm square sheet into four parts to make them, so this is a perfect idea for those who are good with detailed work.
Let’s make some tetrominoes and play!
Okonomiyaki Game
Let me introduce an okonomiyaki game that’s guaranteed to get everyone excited.
Cut cardboard into circles, stick on printed okonomiyaki designs, and make about 20 okonomiyaki pieces.
The thickness of the cardboard is up to you, but if it’s too thin, flipping them might be a bit harder.
Once you spread the 20 okonomiyaki pieces out on a table, the game begins.
Use a spatula to flip the okonomiyaki one by one.
Time yourself, and when you’ve flipped them all, you’re done.
The challenge is how many seconds it takes to flip all 20! It’s great brain exercise too—highly recommended.
Ping-pong ball catcher
Let me introduce a game called Pinball Catcher, which lets you do foot rehabilitation while having fun.
Prepare a table set at an angle, add walls on both sides, and place obstacles on the table using disposable containers or similar items.
Once the participants have nets attached to their feet, you’re ready to go.
Roll a ping-pong ball from the top of the table.
Predict the ball’s path as it bounces off obstacles, and catch it with the net attached to your foot.
Because you have to move your feet while watching where the ball will drop, it makes for great foot training.
Chestnut Picking Game
Let me introduce the Chestnut-Picking Game, a fun way to help with arm rehabilitation.
Make ring shapes out of construction paper in the shape of chestnuts and write point values on them.
You can also make maple and ginkgo leaves to set the mood.
Once you place everything in a cardboard box, you’re ready to go.
Use a cane to pick up the chestnuts and compete based on the points of the ones you collect.
Once everyone gets used to it, add a time limit, such as finishing within 30 seconds, or rules like making the last chestnut worth double points to keep it feeling fresh and exciting.
It can be enjoyed while sitting in a chair or using just one hand, so it’s recommended as a recreational activity at senior care facilities.
Music Therapy Handbell Concert
Let me introduce music therapy using handbells.
In handbell ensembles, each person is responsible for specific notes on the scale, which actually requires a lot of concentration.
Even with familiar children’s songs, you need to remember exactly when to play your note.
The timing is important, and you also have to adjust the volume with your arm movements.
Because this sends a lot of stimulation to the brain, it can be expected to have brain-training effects.
In addition, since it is often done in groups, it naturally fosters interaction among participants, and the sense of accomplishment when it all comes together is exceptional.