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[For Seniors] Flag-raising recreation: brain training and dementia prevention
The flag-raising game is popular at senior facilities such as day-service centers as a way to help prevent dementia.
Its appeal lies in training cognitive functions by raising and lowering flags in time with the commands “Raise red, raise white.”
Another nice point is that you can arrange it in many ways—not only using flags but also holding sticks or rings, doing it to music, or using your feet instead of your hands.
Because it can be done while seated, it’s an easy recreation for older adults to join casually.
Please use the ideas we’re about to introduce as a reference and enjoy them together.
[For Seniors] Flag-raising recreation. For brain training and dementia prevention (1–10)
Flag-raising exercise
Even seniors with weak legs can enjoy the flag-raising exercise while seated.
Moderate physical activity stimulates the brain and can help prevent dementia.
Use sticks made from empty wrap cores to move the upper body and brain.
It’s easier to start if you place the sticks on the table, on the knees, or on the wheelchair armrests before the game begins.
Having seniors call out commands like “Raise red!” or having staff make mistakes on purpose can spark laughter and liven things up.
The process of making the wrap-core sticks also seems like fun.
Flag-raising game using batons
Once participants are used to the flag-raising game and the pace of the commands has picked up, have them give the commands while raising the flags.
When older adults call out the commands, the game becomes more engaging, and doing speaking and moving both hands at the same time stimulates the brain.
Giving commands also serves as a “mouth exercise,” moving the mouth.
Mouth exercises help improve movements of the mouth and tongue that may have weakened with aging.
As eating functions improve, it can help prevent aspiration.
It looks like you can enjoy the game while also increasing the enjoyment of eating.
Raise-the-flag game using rings
It’s also recommended to switch up the usual flag-raising game by using rings instead.
The key point is how you grip the ring.
When grip strength declines, overall physical function also decreases, which can interfere with daily life.
Holding the ring helps improve grip strength, and the act of gripping stimulates the thumb, which can promote brain activation.
You can easily make the rings with items from a 100-yen shop.
Cut construction paper into long strips, form them into rings, and wrap them with colored tape.
This becomes a low-impact exercise you can do while seated in a chair.
Raise-the-flag game using hands and feet
The flag-raising game that uses both feet is recommended for those who have gotten used to the version that uses both hands.
Rotating and moving the wrists and ankles helps improve stamina and build strength.
You can enjoy it while standing, but it’s fine to play seated as well.
Let’s adjust the movements to suit the older adults who are participating.
You can also customize it by sticking a paper with a surname on the foot or using colored flags like red and blue.
Recreational activities like games that create excitement encourage communication among older adults.
Talking with others helps stabilize their mental state and can ease feelings of loneliness.
Flag-raising game at a village festival
If you arrange the song lyrics to include phrases like “Raise red” and “Lower white,” it seems like it would really liven things up.
If it’s a song that the participating seniors know, everyone can enjoy a flag-raising game while singing together.
Until everyone gets used to it, writing the lyrics and the parts to be adapted on a whiteboard so they’re visible will make the game easier.
Once they’re comfortable, try speeding up the melody and adding more challenging commands.
Having musical accompaniment on a keyboard or organ would make the game even more fun.
Octopus-Squid Game
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2UJoW2HB6J/If you change the flags in the flag-raising game to octopuses or squids, it creates a different atmosphere.
Stick paper drawings of an octopus or a squid on both legs, and raise them in time with the commands.
Leg strength weakens with age, making people more prone to falling or stumbling.
Since this is a seated recreation that involves moving the legs, it’s easy for older adults to participate.
It also helps if a care worker holds the ‘flags’ and demonstrates raising and lowering them.
Besides octopuses and squids, anything with clearly distinguishable colors will work.
Flag-raising game using flowers
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUb4OIgLbHM/How about using colorful flowers instead of flags for the Flag-Raising Game? It’s the same game as usual, but the atmosphere changes—it becomes cute and soothing.
You can easily make flowers using thin, colored tissue paper called “ohanagami” from 100-yen shops.
It can also be fun to have everyone make paper flowers together before the game.
In addition to using both hands, you can adapt it for older participants by attaching flowers to their feet for the game, which should be exciting too.
With simple movements like raising and lowering the arms and legs, let’s improve physical function and boost immunity.