[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 (11–20)
Close It, Open It
Musunde Hiraite is a hand-play song where you make a fist or open your hand in time with the lyrics.
Because the tempo is slow, even those who aren’t used to hand-play can try it easily.
In addition to the usual version where you match your movements to the lyrics, adding a few twists is also recommended.
For example, you can do movements opposite to the lyrics, or, along with making fists and opening your hands, extend and pull back your arms, raise them up and lower them, and so on.
Just adding a bit of variation to the standard mode gives the brain extra stimulation and helps activate it.
Brain-training exercises that make you laugh
The Nikko Kaido is a famous cherry blossom spot in Tochigi Prefecture.
Some older adults may have visited the Nikko Kaido to see the blossoms.
At the end of the Nikko Kaido is Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which is also known for the Three Wise Monkeys.
Let’s strike poses with our hands to match the Three Monkeys—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
When the cues are called—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil—use your hands to cover your eyes, ears, or mouth.
If you call out “see no evil” but then cover your ears as a trick, it livens things up.
You can also increase the difficulty by, for example, adding a single clap when “see no evil” is called.
As older adults get used to it, gradually raise the difficulty and encourage them to keep challenging themselves.
Heart Blocks Mameshiba
We’re pleased to introduce “Kokoro no Tsumiki,” supervised by Mr.
Chitoku Ishihana of the Rock Balancing Laboratory.
Rock balancing is an art of stacking stones and rocks.
Many of us have likely stacked stones for fun at a beach or riverbank at least once.
This block set requires dexterity and delicate handling, as well as spatial awareness and concentration.
In other words, simply stacking the blocks becomes an unconscious brain workout.
Above all, the adorable Shiba Inu motif is soothing to the heart.
And when you discover an unexpected way to stack them, you’ll surely want to show others.
PET bottle cap grab game
Here’s a game that uses PET bottle caps to train finger dexterity.
Pick up PET bottle caps and drop them into paper cups.
However, you’ll use clothespins to pick up the caps.
Handling clothespins requires a certain amount of strength.
Simply using clothespins can also improve fine motor skills by encouraging nimble finger movements.
Let’s not only aim for brain-training benefits through finger use, but also strengthen the fingers and hands.
By making it a game, older adults can enjoy themselves while getting in some training.
Give it a try!
Handmade spinning top
Let’s play with spinning tops made from origami.
Are you familiar with tops crafted from origami? There are types that look like flowers with a cross-shaped handle in the center for spinning, and ones where a toothpick is inserted into the center of a square top.
Some folding methods are complex, but older adults who enjoy origami will likely have fun making them.
Let’s spin the origami tops everyone has folded.
Both making the origami and spinning the tops use the fingertips, making it good training.
With the nostalgic game of spinning tops, older adults can relive their childhood and enjoy a pleasant time.
Tea Jar Hand Play
May is the season when new tea tastes delicious.
“Tea Jar Hand Play” is a game that lets you fully savor that seasonal feeling! You can play it anywhere, so it’s fun even by yourself at home.
It’s also one of those easy games that work well as a group activity in senior care facilities.
No tools are needed, so it’s simple to try.
The Tea Jar song has the simple melody and rhythm unique to traditional children’s songs, making it pleasant to hear and familiar for older adults.
It’s also filled with elements of Japanese culture, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Let’s all use our hands and enjoy it together!
[Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended for Dementia Prevention! Hand-Play Recreation (21–30)
Tea Picking Game
May is the season for harvesting new tea leaves, isn’t it? For many older adults, tea is one of the beverages they can’t do without, and it’s important for daily hydration.
A great activity to get seniors engaged is the Tea-Picking Game.
It’s a tabletop game where players pick up “tea leaves” and compete at plucking them, which helps train the fingertips.
Singing along while playing also develops a sense of rhythm.
Because everyone can enjoy it together, it can help stimulate the brain, too.
Another appeal is the uplifting feeling that comes from experiencing a game full of seasonal flair.