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[For Seniors] Recommended Even for People with Dementia! Simple Recreational Activities
Recreation activities conducted at nursing and care facilities aim to improve brain and physical functions.
They are said to help activate the brain and can be expected to prevent dementia or slow its progression.
However, it is also important to maintain emotional well-being through feelings like “this is fun, I feel happy” and communication with others.
If people push themselves too hard for functional improvement and the things they “can’t do” become a source of stress, they won’t be able to enjoy the activities.
So this time, we’re introducing “simple recreation” ideas!
These are easy, accessible activities designed for older adults to enjoy.
Please feel free to make use of them.
[For Seniors] Recommended for People with Dementia Too! Simple Recreational Activities (1–10)
Recreation using a whiteboard
Let’s use a whiteboard to do whiteboard recreation activities.
Because these are group activities, communication naturally emerges as people participate together.
As a result, relationships among the elderly deepen naturally.
Moreover, associating various ideas can lead to new discoveries, providing good stimulation for the brain.
beanbags
Otedama is a recommended recreational activity because it’s easy to get started.
It’s enjoyable not only for older adults with dementia but also for small children, so it’s a staple when kindergarteners or preschoolers visit senior facilities.
There are many ways to play, so let’s begin with simple ones.
Because it uses fine motor skills, it can provide good stimulation for the brain.
playing rock-paper-scissors after seeing the opponent’s move (i.e., acting with hindsight/cheating)
If you’re looking for recreational activities that train the brain, such as for dementia prevention, how about “After-the-fact Rock-Paper-Scissors”? Everyone knows rock-paper-scissors, so older adults can start right away.
In this game, the leader shows their hand first, and then participants show theirs, trying to either win or lose according to the instruction.
It’s especially easy to make mistakes when the instruction is to lose, so it’s perfect as a mental workout.
Cooking and baking
Cooking and baking activities are very popular at our facility, so we highly recommend them! When you cook while thinking about steps and efficiency, it stimulates and activates the brain.
It also helps train fine motor skills through detailed tasks.
Food and sweets you enjoy with the sense of accomplishment of having made them yourself taste exceptionally good! Breads and cakes made with seasonal ingredients are especially recommended!
Karaoke Contest
Karaoke recreation can make you feel nostalgic as you remember songs that were popular in the past.
Also, when staff dress up in costumes and perform songs and dances, you get to see something out of the ordinary, which can lift your mood.
Enjoying the dazzling costumes and singing lets you immerse yourself in a different world from everyday life, helping to relieve stress.
And by singing together with everyone, you can create a sense of unity and spend an enjoyable time!
Recreation that stimulates cognitive function using a ball
Recreation using balls is recommended for dementia prevention because it activates both mental and physical functions.
This time, we’re focusing on ball-based recreation that is particularly effective for dementia.
Participants sit in a circle and pass the ball to the person next to them, changing directions—clockwise or counterclockwise—and adjusting according to the ball’s size.
By doing this, older adults have to think as they play, which helps strengthen both mind and body.
Additionally, switching to the opposite direction provides beneficial stimulation to the brain.
Coloring book
In recent years, coloring books have become popular among adults as well.
You can even find sophisticated coloring books aimed at adults in bookstores.
Coloring is also recommended as a recreational activity for people with dementia.
The three main reasons are that it stimulates the brain, rehabilitates the hands and fingers, and helps relieve stress.
Activating the brain can help prevent the progression of dementia, and it’s a fun way to improve dexterity.
Plus, the sense of accomplishment after finishing a piece can help reduce stress, so it’s highly recommended!
