[For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention

Word association game about spring

Brain Training: Word Association Game — Spring

Let me introduce a “word association game” that’s fun to play while chatting and can accommodate any group size, from a few people to many.

Given a prompt like “What comes to mind when you hear ___?”, say aloud as many associated words as you can think of.

Writing all the answers on a whiteboard so everyone can see helps prevent duplicates and also uses existing answers as hints to spark further associations.

Reflecting on your own experiences and thinking about words, seasonal foods, culture, and other commonalities with the topic engages the brain, which may help prevent cognitive decline.

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kojifumi

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A game where you associate kanji with pictures

[Associative Kanji] Brain Training #3: Guess Which Kanji the Picture Represents – A Popular Association Game for Dementia Prevention

Let’s look at a picture and use our imagination! Here’s an idea for a game where you associate kanji with a picture.

It’s said to be popular as a way to help prevent dementia.

For example, prepare an illustration showing three trees in a row and think about which kanji it represents.

The answer is “森” (mori, meaning “forest”).

In this way, it’s a simple and fun game where you look at an illustration and answer with the kanji that fits.

Since it makes you think, you’ll likely feel refreshed when you figure out the answer! Give it a try!

Choose the middle letter and make a three-letter word.

@husanasomana

Let's have fun making handmade cards!#Indoor PlayChildcareProductionwork

♬ Original song – husanasomana – Sakafure (formerly Asomana-kan)

This is an idea for making three-letter words by choosing the middle letter.

The concept is to correctly match quiz cards with answer cards.

For example, if the quiz card says “な○ま,” you would look for “か” among the answer cards.

Depending on the quiz, there might be multiple correct answers.

Once you get used to it, you can also increase or decrease the number of letters.

The more letters there are, the more complex the quiz becomes.

First, try finding three-letter words that could work as quiz prompts.

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yamamoto

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Proverb Match

[Senior Recreation] Card Game: Proverb Matching!

Let me introduce a proverb matching game that stimulates your vocabulary while having fun.

First, prepare 20–30 proverbs and write the first half and second half on separate cards.

Lay the cards out randomly on a table and look for pairs that form complete proverbs by matching the first halves with the second halves.

Because it uses familiar Japanese proverbs, it encourages you to revisit your memory, rediscover culture and general knowledge, and activate cognitive functions.

The sense of achievement when you find the correct pair can also boost self-esteem! It will be even more exciting if you split into teams or pairs and work together.

Please give it a try.

A game where you create prefecture names using 16 katakana characters

[Elderly Recreation] Rec Master Series Part 16: 'Find the Prefecture'

Let me introduce a fun thinking game where you create Japanese prefecture names using 16 katakana characters.

Write one katakana character per square on a sheet, preparing a paper with 16 characters.

Then, combine the katakana to see how many prefecture names you can form and compete for the highest count.

It’s likely to get lively if you split into teams, set a time limit at each table, and take on the challenge.

It’s also a fun game that can help prevent cognitive decline and stimulate communication, so give it a try.

You might discover something new!

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mayumi

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Colorful Card Rec: Fish Edition Quiz

[Senior Recreation] Quick Brain Training! Recreation Using Handmade Cards [Preventive Care, Day Service Activities, Elderly Care]

From the familiar to the unfamiliar, you can freely adjust the difficulty! Introducing the Fish Radical Quiz.

There are so many kanji that use the fish radical, and their readings change dramatically depending on the character on the right.

In this quiz, you keep switching the right-hand component and guess how the kanji is read.

Thinking about which fish it might represent mobilizes memory, reasoning, and language comprehension, providing excellent cognitive stimulation.

It also encourages lively communication among participants with fish-related topics.

Using colorful cards makes it visually fun too—be sure to make some and give it a try!

Communication Card

[Magical Brain-Training Cards] Communication Cards [Brain Training + Communication]

If you’re looking for a card game that energizes the brain and the heart, this is a must-see! Here’s how to play a communication card game.

The rules are very simple: prepare several cards with prompts such as flowers, animals, colors, or foods.

The person who draws a card names three things related to the word on the card.

For example, if someone draws a card that says “Flowers,” it’s OK if they can name three flower names like tulip, cherry blossom, and dandelion.

It seems great for improving vocabulary and memory! If you add twists to the prompts, like “Something great about the person next to you” or “Something that made you happy recently,” the conversation will definitely take off.

Give it a try!