Explaining interesting initiatives at nursing care facilities! We also introduce seasonal recreational activities.
Many older adults may spend most of their day in care facilities.
Repeating the same activities every day can fail to stimulate the brain and may lead to dementia.
You probably want to add variety to your recreational activities.
In this article, we’ll introduce some interesting recreational programs that care facilities are actually implementing.
Some are a bit unconventional, so if you’re a care facility looking to try something new, please use this as a reference!
Explaining Interesting Initiatives at Care Facilities! Introducing Seasonal Recreational Activities as Well (1–10)
casino
This video features an “unconventional day service” inspired by Las Vegas casinos.
Based on the concept of a care facility that seniors will want to keep attending, it offers table games like mahjong and blackjack, as well as pachinko, where participants look lively and seem to be having a great time.
Doctors specializing in dementia are taking notice, noting that the fun of games—where winning and losing are mixed together—stimulates the brain, elevates cognitive levels, and, when done continuously, improves cognitive function.
Flea market
Here’s a fun flea market idea that encourages communication.
First, ask staff members and people around you to contribute items they’re willing to list, and collect them.
The more varied the lineup, the more excited participants are likely to be.
Next, about the rules: while letting people choose and take what they like is enjoyable, why not add a game element to make it more engaging? For example, participants could receive a voucher for an item if they win a game of rock-paper-scissors.
school
Here is an introduction to dementia care through “learning.” There is a psychotherapy for dementia called reminiscence therapy.
Looking back on one’s life and recalling the past by looking at photos is said to stimulate brain activity.
Here, under the theme of an “Adult School,” the room is set up like a classroom with a blackboard and a timetable, and actual math and Japanese language lessons are conducted.
Everyone, drawing on the skills they mastered long ago, attends the lessons seriously, and one “student” commented, “I’m not senile yet—doing this gives me confidence.” Taking classes helps enhance older adults’ motivation to live.
Cherry blossom viewing
As a seasonal recreational activity, I would like to suggest going cherry-blossom viewing (hanami).
As many people imagine, it’s about enjoying the sight of cherry blossoms.
The charm isn’t just in appreciating the elegance of the blossoms; it’s also in enjoying conversation there and savoring delicious food.
If you make it a walk and view the blossoms while strolling, it could also help address a lack of exercise.
Why not start by looking for the perfect spot for hanami? By the way, there are even recreational activities that let you enjoy the hanami atmosphere indoors.
tea party
Tea gatherings that let you enjoy a traditional Japanese atmosphere are highly recommended.
Simply savoring the tea is wonderful, but I think learning about etiquette and thoughtfulness is interesting as well.
It’s also a great idea to try preparing the tea yourself.
Let’s plan to give a lesson starting from the basics so both experienced and first-time participants can enjoy it.
Above all, I hope you’ll relish the delicious tea and the time spent chatting with friends.
This might even be the chance that turns tea into someone’s new hobby.
farm work
Continuing the work and tasks one has been doing creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
One such activity is farm work.
It doesn’t involve specialized tasks using machinery; rather, it consists of simple, light tasks such as weeding and sowing seeds.
Still, the act of “making something” and having “what you make bring joy to someone” can be very effective for older adults.
In addition, moving the fingers and body is said to improve circulation and stimulate the brain, so it is considered beneficial for preventing and improving dementia.
footbath
How about recreating a foot bath like the ones you often see at hot spring resorts? Foot baths are said to help reduce swelling, relieve sensitivity to cold, and improve insomnia.
They’re also expected to have a relaxing effect.
If you set one up, it could refresh both your body and mind.
By the way, there’s a recommended way to use a foot bath: first, prepare water at about 40°C (104°F) and soak for around 15 minutes.
Then stretch your ankles and be sure to hydrate well.