Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
At day service centers and residential facilities where many older adults gather, seasonal events are often held.
Some staff members may be wondering what kind of performances will delight the seniors at these times.
In this article, we introduce easy-to-implement entertainment ideas and games.
We’ve picked out performances that staff can present, as well as activities that seniors can join in together.
Let’s aim for a crowd-pleasing event that everyone can enjoy and get the excitement going!
Recommended fun performances that will be popular with seniors (1–10)
concertNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@magonote_hanazono/video/7392076294676155656Why not try holding a concert at a nursing care facility? Actual research has shown that continuing to play musical instruments has positive effects on older adults’ cognitive and brain functions.
There are many kinds of instruments, so you can choose one that suits you and enjoy it as a lifelong hobby.
To improve, you need to practice a little every day, but if you only practice, you might get bored along the way.
That’s why we recommend organizing regular concerts and setting a goal to perform.
It will energize your practice, and you’ll also enjoy communicating with fellow music enthusiasts.
dagashi shopNEW!
When we were kids, going to the penny candy shop was one of life’s little joys, wasn’t it? So how about incorporating a candy-shop activity as part of a Father’s Day event? Prepare a selection of traditional sweets and enjoy some pretend play with real money exchanges.
Some people might say it’s been over a decade since they last bought dagashi, so it’s sure to be a hit.
After enjoying the make-believe candy shop, everyone can have a tasting time together! With those nostalgic treats in front of you, memories are bound to start flowing.
Handmade Senbonbiki (lottery string pull game)NEW!
When it comes to festivals, senbon-biki (the thousand-string pull) is a must! You pull one string and get the prize it’s connected to—it’s exciting and fun wondering which one you’ll win.
I’m sure it will bring back childlike joy for older adults as well.
Senbon-biki sets can be rented or purchased online, making them easy to include in events.
If you want to keep costs down, a handmade version is also recommended! You just punch holes in a cardboard box and thread strings through, so it’s easy to make, and the strength should be fine for one-time use.
Instrument performance
Ordinarily, there aren’t many chances to hear live instrumental performances.
If any of your staff have experience in wind ensembles or play instruments as a hobby, we recommend having them perform at events like Christmas parties! Even familiar nursery rhymes and popular songs feel completely different when played on instruments, and it can be very moving.
Unlike recorded audio such as CDs, the sound of live instruments resonates deep within the body, so older adults will surely be impressed by a live performance unfolding right before their eyes.
drama
A play created and performed by the staff is sure to be the highlight of any year-end or New Year’s party! If you present a twist on a classic folk tale that everyone knows, the older adults won’t be able to keep from laughing.
The key to making the play a success is to throw yourself wholeheartedly into your role without feeling embarrassed.
If you act timidly, the audience will lose interest.
If the group is small and it’s easy to move around, inviting older adults to participate in the play as it progresses may make it even more exciting.
Magic
When it comes to entertainment for year-end and New Year parties or Christmas gatherings, magic is a classic choice! Tricks like stabbing swords into a box with someone inside or making body parts appear to come apart can actually be recreated surprisingly easily with cardboard mechanisms.
The easiest to prepare are things like card tricks that use small props, but if you’re performing in front of a crowd, we recommend tricks that are easy to see from a distance.
And even if you mess up, take it in stride—turn it into a joke to keep the crowd energized!
sing a song
Songs are perfect for opening or closing Christmas and New Year’s parties! Warm up your voice first to get your throat in good condition, then let’s all sing together in unison.
Singing naturally brings smiles and opens the heart, doesn’t it? Even people who don’t usually talk much may loosen up by singing together, and they might enjoy the games that follow.
It’s also a good idea to research songs everyone knows or likes in advance, and to add accompaniment on a keyboard or similar instrument to match the song’s tempo!