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!
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Fun performance ideas that are popular with seniors (ages 71–80)
I’ll go on alone, brash and headstrong.
The film Ora, Ora Be Goin’ Alone is based on Chisako Wakatake’s novel and was released in 2020.
It portrays, with touches of humor, a protagonist who has lost her husband and faces loneliness while continuing to live true to herself.
Though it deals with themes like loneliness and aging, it never becomes pessimistic; instead, it conveys the richness and fascination of life.
The distinctive visual style, in which flashbacks and reality intersect, is also striking and seems likely to prompt viewers to reflect on their own lives.
Hello, Mom.
Centered on a fresh start for a mother and her son, this work portrays their familial bond and interactions with people in Tokyo’s shitamachi (old downtown) neighborhood.
The lively presence of the mother played by Sayuri Yoshinaga, contrasted with the son’s difficult days portrayed by Yo Oizumi, adds momentum to the story.
The mother’s enjoyment of new encounters becomes the catalyst for the son to rediscover the self he had lost, delivering courage and warmth to viewers’ hearts.
Including the bustling atmosphere of the shitamachi, it’s a work that makes you feel like embracing life with joy.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Relay
This is a game where teams aim to pass a ring they’re holding by hand all the way to the last person, using rock-paper-scissors.
The rule is that you can pass the ring only when the next person wins at rock-paper-scissors, so both speed and luck are put to the test.
As you become more conscious of speed, you need sharper judgment to track who wins or loses each round and whether the ring can be passed.
Having teams compete against each other is key to making everyone focus on the game’s sense of speed.
Go for it! Gateball Sakura Team
This work portrays the struggles of elderly individuals trying to reclaim the sparkle of their youth through gateball.
It follows former rugby club teammates as they strive to achieve results in a gateball tournament, and their willingness to take on something new is sure to inspire viewers.
The performances by Tatsuya Fuji and the rest of the cast are striking—blending comedic touches with a strong sense of determination.
It conveys messages that the bonds of friendship are eternal and that it’s never too late to take on a challenge.
Orchestra Oldies!
The film “Golden Orchestra!” was released in 2016.
Set around an amateur orchestra made up entirely of senior citizens, it portrays people finding purpose in life through music.
The story begins when the protagonist, played by Anne (An), mistakenly joins the orchestra, and her initial confusion sets things in motion.
As she is tossed around by the quirky members yet gradually deepens their bonds, the fulfillment of people dedicating themselves to what they love is uplifting for viewers as well.
It’s a work that conveys a powerful message: no matter how old you are, you can always take on something new.
Quartet! The Opera House of Life
The film “Quartet! The Opera House of Life” is set in a retirement home for former musicians and portrays their bonds and passion for music.
The way they take on a comeback concert to keep the home going, and the relationships among the friends that deepen along the way, are depicted strikingly.
Because it centers on music, the soundtrack is also a highlight, with numerous masterpieces powerfully elevating the story.
It’s a work that delivers a strong message: no matter how old you are, life can still shine.
How to Choose a Happy Ending
While dealing with weighty themes such as end-of-life care and death with dignity, the film The Farewell Party is filled with humor and warmth.
An invention-loving elderly man creates a device for a friend, which leads to unforeseen consequences and develops into a story where he begins to contemplate his own ending.
Although the subject—the way each person’s life ends—is heavy, the humorous touch conveys a sense of hope about living life happily.
It’s a work that offers a chance to spend the final chapter of life with joy, even when one might otherwise view it pessimistically.