[Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
Fingerplay recreation that also helps prevent dementia.
Because it can be done while seated, it’s easy for older adults who have difficulty standing or walking to participate, and it’s offered in many senior care facilities.
That said, it’s tough for staff to plan activities by choosing from the many different fingerplay options, isn’t it?
So this time, we’re introducing recommended fingerplay recreation activities that can also help prevent dementia.
We’ve gathered a wide variety—from simple fingertip exercises to activities that involve moving the hands while singing, which can also help strengthen the muscles used for speech.
The fingertips are so rich in nerves that they’re often called the “second brain.”
Let’s have fun together while moving our fingertips and hands a lot to activate the brain!
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Extremely Effective Brain Training! A Fun Collection of Hand Games
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation
- [For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
- Cognicise you can do while seated. Simple dementia prevention.
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention
- [For Seniors] Recommended Even for People with Dementia! Simple Recreational Activities
- Simple games for preventing and improving dementia
- [For Seniors] Liven Things Up With Different Left-Right Movements! Game and Exercise Ideas
[Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended for Dementia Prevention! Hand Play Recreation (61–70)
Rhythmic exercises with carp streamers
Do you know the “ikarano-nami” that appears in the children’s song Koinobori? One theory says that ikarano-nami refers to the wave-like pattern formed by the ridge tiles at the peak of a tiled roof.
When you listen to Koinobori, you can imagine the carp streamers swimming as the waves of clouds and the ikarano-nami overlap.
These days, it seems we don’t sing or hear the version of Koinobori that mentions ikarano-nami as often.
Some older people may find Koinobori nostalgic.
If you do exercises themed around carp streamers, you might be able to feel the season while you move.
Try moving your body to the song’s expansive tune and melody.
Song Exercise Festival
Enjoy it even while seated! Here are ideas for a sing-and-exercise routine to the song “Matsuri.” When you think of summer festivals or evening cool-down festivals, many people imagine Bon Odori, right? This time, let’s move our bodies to the famous song “Matsuri” by the legendary Saburo Kitajima.
The video introduces ideas for movements you can do while sitting! Even subtle motions will loosen up your body if you do them properly—no doubt about it! Sing, dance, and make fun memories.
A puzzle where you fit counters (ohajiki) into a frame
Group recreation where everyone gets lively together is fun, but taking time to think carefully and enjoy things at your own pace is important too.
This time, we’re introducing a finger dexterity puzzle using ohajiki (small glass game pieces).
Preparation is very simple: get some paper and ohajiki.
Draw circles on the paper about the same size as the ohajiki, and place the pieces around them.
Using your index finger, try to push the ohajiki into the circles.
You can change how it feels a lot by drawing circles slightly larger or smaller than the ohajiki and making a rule that they only count if they fit exactly, or by trying fingers other than the index finger.
Because it also engages spatial awareness, it serves as brain training.
It’s also recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.
Chopstick Ball-Carrying Game
Here’s an introduction to a fingertip game where you use chopsticks to pick up and carry small items.
Games that involve fine finger movements can help stimulate the brain.
They’re also useful for training movements needed in daily life.
What you’ll need is an ice tray for making ice—one that makes small cubes is recommended.
Prepare some craft pom-poms (also called “pompoms”) and a pair of disposable wooden chopsticks.
You can get everything you need at a 100-yen shop, so preparation is easy.
Starting from one end of the ice tray, use the chopsticks to pick up the pom-poms and place them into the compartments.
This action helps train eating-related movements.
Since it’s a seated game, it’s likely to be easy for older adults to try.
Space Rail
A build-it-yourself coaster where a steel ball rolls along two rails—that’s Space Rail.
Watching the ball make complex movements and speed through the course is truly exciting.
The difficulty varies by scale, but a simple set can be assembled in about an hour.
Since you work with your fingers while imagining the finished result, it can help develop creativity and concentration.
The sense of accomplishment when you complete it is exceptional.
Give it a try!
Dual-task exercises
Performing two actions at the same time is called a “dual task.” For example, cooking while watching TV or taking notes while talking on the phone.
When you perform two actions simultaneously, various areas of the brain become activated to organize the information needed for each action.
This time, we will introduce exercises that intentionally incorporate dual tasks by combining multiple movements.
By stimulating the brain, these exercises may help prevent cognitive decline.
They can be done either standing or sitting, making them a great option for recreational activities in senior care facilities.
Puzzle Blocks
We’d like to introduce a 3D puzzle game where you cleverly combine blocks of different shapes to complete a form.
Within a limited frame, flipping, inverting, and repositioning the blocks through trial and error not only stimulates thinking, but the warm feel of the wood and the act of moving the pieces with your hands provide positive stimulation for the brain.
You can enjoy it on your own at a relaxed pace, or play with others and compete for time—there are plenty of ways to have fun.
Give it a try!