[For Seniors] Get Through the Chilly February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations

Beanbag Tower

Senior recreation! Everyone’s hooked! Beanbag tower!! #shorts #seniorRecreation #dayService #recreation #heartwarming #hilarious #beanbag

Many older adults may have played with beanbags when they were young.

Some may have also played beanbag games with their own children or grandchildren.

Here’s a game that uses those beanbags to build a tower.

The rules are simple: compete to see how many beanbags you can stack on top of an upside-down paper cup.

By holding and stacking the beanbags, you can expect to improve or maintain fine motor balance and concentration.

You can focus and play on your own, or make it a team competition for extra excitement.

If you like, please give it a try.

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Nakajima Junko

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Balloon holder bag with a string

Recreation for seniors – Everyone’s cooperation is needed! Fun while sitting! Put the balloon in with a string #SeniorRecreation #Recreation #PreventiveCare

Here’s a string-and-balloon game that’s sure to liven up spring events and gatherings.

Have several older adults sit in chairs facing each other, each holding one end of a string so that paired participants are connected and keep the string taut.

By moving the string up and down or sliding it side to side, they work together to carry a balloon to the goal.

Cooperation is key in this game.

Because participants call out to each other as they play, it naturally encourages communication as well.

ball rec

Senior Brain-Training Exercises: Ball-Based Recreation for Preventive Care

Recreational activities that use soft, lightweight balls are recommended for older adults.

Throwing and catching the ball engages various physical and sensory abilities such as muscle strength, grip strength, and dynamic visual acuity.

Simply touching a ball that can roll or be squeezed is also enjoyable for its tactile feel.

This is said to have beneficial effects on the brain as well.

There are ball-based activities that can be done while seated in a chair, making them accessible to many seniors.

Have the participants sit in a circle and pass the ball forward and backward.

If someone can stand steadily, have them walk to the side and hand the ball to the person next to them.

This helps improve core balance.

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Quick brain training, “Ready, set!” game

No prep needed for senior recreation or props! Simple and exciting! Ready, set, go! Game

Here’s a simple brain-training game you can do while seated, with no prior preparation.

Pair up in twos.

When one person calls out a number—like “Ready, five!”—both of you raise your hands or feet.

If the total number of raised hands and feet matches the number that was called, you’re correct.

You can make it more game-like by intentionally raising more hands or feet to throw off your partner’s guess, and enjoy training your brain as you play.

It also helps to create a cheerful atmosphere where mistakes lead to laughter.

Since raising hands and feet doubles as light exercise, try it together with older adults.

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Spot-the-difference game for Valentine’s Day

Spot the Difference Game: Valentine’s Brain Training / Recreation to Help Prevent Dementia and Memory Loss in Older Adults

Spot-the-difference games that compare two illustrations side by side are a classic pastime enjoyed by people of all ages.

For day services where seniors gather, or as a February event, a Valentine’s Day–themed spot-the-difference is highly recommended.

Just looking at the cute illustrations featuring hearts and chocolates lets you feel the seasonal atmosphere of February.

With festive imagery like the words “Valentine’s Day” in English and gift boxes, it’s a soothing recreation activity as well.

Why not try this healthy brain-training idea that lets you exercise your mind while having fun?

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Making ehomaki (lucky direction sushi rolls)

February Event: Ehomaki Making & Bean-Throwing (Setsubun) at Coms House Sawa (Service-Integrated Senior Housing)

We all want to get through the cold season with a smile.

One great idea is making ehomaki rolls right in your room.

Choose your own fillings and enjoy them in an easy-to-eat size.

The rolling process is a nice bit of finger exercise, and they’re delicious to eat—a real two-for-one.

By facing the lucky direction while you dine, you can enjoy a fun, healthy time.

Let’s all enjoy it together, from choosing ingredients to mastering the rolling technique.

By the time you’ve finished eating, a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment will fill your heart, along with the warm anticipation of spring.

Kabuki Day Word Association Game

[Word Association Game] Kabuki Programs

An association game themed around kabuki, one of Japan’s traditional performing arts.

February 20, the day when Izumo no Okuni first performed kabuki odori, is known as Kabuki Day, making this perfect for those looking for February recreations.

Give older adults the prompt: “Write down as many kabuki plays as you can think of.” People who are knowledgeable about each play can present what they know, and everyone can discuss together—it’s a great conversation starter.

It’s a recreation that both deepens knowledge about kabuki and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

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