[For Seniors] Introducing Recreational Activities Anyone Can Enjoy at Geriatric Health Facilities!
In nursing care facilities, there are residents with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Many use wheelchairs as well.
As people grow older, they tend to have fewer interactions with others, which can lead them to stay in their rooms more often.
In such circumstances, some may wonder whether there are recreational activities that anyone can enjoy.
This time, we’re introducing recreational activities at nursing care facilities that everyone can enjoy.
Please engage in these activities while interacting with those around you.
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities at Special Nursing Homes That Everyone Can Join
- Recommended recreational activities to help seniors enjoy their time in care facilities
- Recommended Indoor Exercises for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Even Without Sight! Recreation Ideas
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- Liven up the Respect-for-the-Aged gathering: A roundup of recreational activities everyone can enjoy.
[For Seniors] Introducing Recreational Activities Anyone Can Enjoy at Geriatric Health Facilities! (111–120)
Fill-in crossword
This is a game where you complete a crossword puzzle that already has most of its letters filled in by filling the remaining blanks.
Thinking about which letters work both across and down, and then placing them one after another, helps stimulate your brain.
The more blanks there are to fill, the higher the difficulty, so encourage players to gradually try puzzles with multiple blank patterns.
Sometimes the letters alone won’t lead you to the answer, so in those cases, it’s recommended to reveal hints about the meanings of the words that go across and down.
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.
Paper cup drop
Here’s a game using paper cups.
Line up the paper cups in a row.
Use the lined-up cups as targets and have older adults throw a ball at them from a short distance away.
Depending on where you set up the cups, the goal is to throw the ball so that the cups tip over or fall to the floor.
Even if they don’t hit the cups perfectly, it’s likely to spark laughter and provide a nice change of pace.
It can also encourage conversation with others and help expand social interaction among older adults.
Paper cups are sold at 100-yen shops, so preparation is easy.
Brain-training exercises with nursery rhymes
“Brain-Training Exercises with Nursery Rhymes” is a wonderful recreation that lets older adults stay healthy while having fun.
Moving your body to nostalgic songs refreshes both mind and body.
Singing while moving your hands and feet also helps stimulate the brain.
You can even participate while seated, so everyone can enjoy it comfortably without overexertion.
Singing together with those around you brings smiles and fosters communication.
By all means, try these exercises together and have fun!
Ball juggling in time with the song
Doing ball-passing to a song sounds so fun! Listening to music while everyone passes the ball around would create such a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Passing the ball in rhythm with the song gives your hands and arms some exercise, and if you hum along, it will lift your spirits, too.
Since you’ll be interacting with the people around you, it’s sure to be a time full of smiles.
The movements are simple, so anyone can join in easily—that’s part of the charm.
By all means, get everyone moving and have fun together!
Rhythmic exercises with pop songs
Doing rhythmic exercises to kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs) is a wonderful activity, isn’t it? Moving your hands and feet to nostalgic songs naturally brings a smile.
Bright tunes like “Aoi Sanmyaku” lift your spirits.
It’s also nice to clap along or step in time while singing.
Moving your body to the rhythm helps build stamina, and recalling and singing the lyrics stimulates the brain.
Enjoying it together deepens social connections.
Try exercising to your favorite kayōkyoku and have fun!
Finger exercises with kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
Finger exercises to kayōkyoku—how lovely! Moving your fingers to the rhythm of nostalgic songs is so exciting.
With memorable tunes like Hibari Misora’s “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni” and Akira Kobayashi’s “Tokyo Kid,” you can gently move your fingers while enjoying the music.
If the finger movements are difficult, just take it slowly.
Don’t push yourself—having fun is what matters most.
Moving your fingers while listening to music can refresh both your mind and body.
It could be even more enjoyable if everyone sings along together.
By all means, enjoy your finger exercises with your favorite songs!