[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
December is a busy month at the end of the year.
It’s also a season when the cold is more noticeable and people tend to have fewer opportunities to go outside.
With that in mind, here are some physical activities and crafts for older adults that can be enjoyed indoors where it’s warm.
These are December-themed recreations, so they allow participants to see, feel, and enjoy the season while experiencing a sense of seasonal atmosphere.
They also provide various mental and physical stimulation—moving the body, using the fingers, thinking, and creating opportunities to interact with friends.
Please make good use of these recreations.
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[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreational Activities (51–60)
Caregiving Dance on Christmas EveTatsuro Yamashita
This is a workout set to Tatsuro Yamashita’s signature Christmas song, “Christmas Eve.” Because you perform the choreography while seated in a chair, maintaining correct posture is an important point.
With moves like a prayer pose and bell-ringing gestures, it incorporates many Christmas-themed elements, so you can really feel the holiday spirit while moving your body.
Since memorizing the choreography can be challenging, it’s recommended to carefully watch the example in front of you and use it as a chance to build concentration.
New Year’s decoration making
A shimenawa wreath made from newspaper is wonderful, isn’t it? While feeling the New Year atmosphere, you can engage your imagination as you create it.
There’s joy in inventing your own ideas and adding personal touches.
It helps boost concentration and nurture creativity, so it’s likely to refresh the mind.
It also seems like it will bring warmth to the cold winter.
Let’s handcraft lovely New Year decorations together with older adults.
It will surely be a heart-enriching time.
Since there’s lots of finger work—rolling and tying the newspaper—it may also help stimulate the brain.
Making a Christmas cake
A Christmas cake is a must for a fun Christmas, right? But cakes can be tricky and a lot of work—and they can be too sweet to eat much of, especially for older adults.
Don’t worry! If everyone shares the tasks and works together with friends and staff at day service, it’ll be no problem.
And when it’s time to eat, dividing it up for everyone makes it just the right size!
Christmas tree curling
Christmas Tree Curling is a delightful recreation that lets you move your body and have fun using just your fingertips.
Since you slide the tree with your fingers, it helps develop dexterity and concentration.
It’s exciting to think about the right amount of force as you slide it.
Scoring can also be a good mental workout.
One of its charms is that you can enjoy it in a warm indoor space while soaking up the Christmas atmosphere.
Older adults are encouraged to give it a try as well.
You’re sure to have a wonderful time.
Let’s all get into it together and create lovely memories.
[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreational Activities (61–70)
Christmas Association Brain Training
December, as the Christmas season approaches.
With colorful decorations all around, some older adults may be feeling their hearts lift.
Here’s a recommended activity for the warm Christmas atmosphere: a “Christmas Association Brain Training.” Invite seniors to think of items that come to mind when they think of Christmas.
Write the words they come up with on a whiteboard.
It’s also fun to have them think about “colors that evoke Christmas.” Both activities help with brain training.
In addition, recalling Christmas helps them feel the season.
Crossword puzzle
With crossword puzzles, you can enjoy yourself even during the cold winter months.
Did you know December 21 is Crossword Puzzle Day? How about trying them with older adults? Solving the clues is said to help stimulate the brain.
It’s also fun to use a tablet to try new puzzles online.
On Crossword Puzzle Day, why not work on one while sharing the story behind the anniversary? Since they use reasoning and memory, crosswords seem like a great way to train the brain while having fun.
It sounds like a lovely activity for spending unhurried time in a warm, cozy room.
Create this year’s Kanji of the Year as a collage
Creating this year’s kanji character as a collage sounds fun.
The process of cutting out and pasting magazine and newspaper clippings uses the fingertips, which helps stimulate the brain for older adults.
Summarizing the year into a single character can also be a great way to reflect on the past year.
Using stickers and stamps from 100-yen shops makes preparation easy.
Tweezers allow for precise placement, which can improve concentration.
You can let older adults create based on their preferences, or prepare a sample to follow.
It seems like a wonderful way to spend enjoyable time while making beautiful pieces.