[For seniors] January health topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games

Mnemonics! January Events Quiz

Born from wordplay! Fun Commemorative Day Quiz — January Edition

Even on ordinary days that we pass without much thought, various shops and industries may have established some kind of anniversary.

This is a quiz that encourages you to think about why those anniversaries were set on those particular dates and to deepen your understanding of them.

In addition to dates that are important to companies, some are chosen based on puns made from the numbers in the date, so pay attention to how the numbers sound.

After getting familiar with the wordplay-style quizzes, it could be fun to think of other dates that might work as puns as well.

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kappamaki

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Newspaper-pulling-with-your-feet game

Three pull-out games using your feet that seniors can play while seated #recreation_for_seniors #seated_activities #newspaper

Here’s a game that gets you moving your feet while having fun and training at the same time.

Have older adults sit in a chair and pull a sheet of newspaper with their feet.

They can pull it with one foot or with both feet together.

You can also have two older adults sit facing each other at a distance and compete—it should be fun.

Besides providing leg exercise, it’s likely to increase interaction among older adults and bring more smiles.

It can also help with a change of pace and stress relief.

Please give it a try.

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Nakajima Junko

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January 9 Cold Day Exercises

Jan 9: “Proper Handwashing Exercise with the Tortoise and the Hare” — Today’s Brain Training & Care Prevention #short

Winter is the season when colds go around, isn’t it? Because the air is dry, if you don’t properly prevent them with thorough handwashing and gargling, your risk of catching a cold increases.

Did you know that January 9 is Cold Day? To help prevent colds, let’s practice proper handwashing exercises.

Washing your hands while singing the “Rabbit and Turtle” song can make it more fun.

It’s also recommended because you can clean areas you don’t usually scrub carefully, like fingertips and wrists.

Making sure to lather your hand soap well is another key point for washing cleanly.

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Nanaka

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January chair exercise

[For Seniors] Japan’s January Chair Exercises – Teacher Gobou

Since many people take it easy over the New Year holidays, some of you might find your bodies getting a bit sluggish.

Winter is cold, and it’s hard to get motivated to move, isn’t it? For those people, I recommend simple exercises you can do while sitting in a chair.

This time, I’ll introduce exercises that incorporate New Year–themed keywords.

With things like the “Kadomatsu Stretch” and the “Mochi-Pounding Workout,” you can train muscles throughout your whole body.

In particular, the “Mochi-Eating Exercise” activates the muscles you need when eating mochi, so you can feel at ease.

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Nanaka

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New Year’s gift envelope game

[New Year Rec] Otoshidama Envelope Game! A recreation where you can enjoy the seasonal feeling! Let’s play while doing some calculations!

When you think of New Year’s, many people think of otoshidama (New Year’s money), right? The Otoshidama Toss Game is a recreation you can enjoy during the New Year.

The rules are simple: toss beanbags into paper cups labeled with different amounts of otoshidama.

You can enjoy it even while seated.

Because the game also involves doing calculations, it makes for good brain training for older adults! Offering a prize to the person who collects the most otoshidama could make it even more exciting.

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Kawamura Mina

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Rhythmic exercise with a New Year’s song

Brain-Training Singing Exercise You Can Do While Seated: Nursery Rhyme “New Year’s Day.” Simple Rhythm Exercise for Seniors and Older Adults, Beginner-Friendly—Ready to Play As-Is at Home, in Senior Facilities, or Day Services.

We’d like to introduce a fun way to enjoy the season: “New Year’s Song Rhythm Exercise”! You’ll fold your fingers to the music of the children’s song “Oshogatsu.” Because this finger-folding rhythm exercise can be done seated in time with the music, anyone can do it easily.

Start by folding the same fingers on both hands, and once you get used to it, try folding different fingers with each hand—it also works as brain training.

In the cold season, fingertips tend to get chilly.

Many older adults report difficulty moving their fingers in winter, so this exercise is perfect for chilly January!

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Kawamura Mina

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Spot the differences in New Year’s illustrations

Spot the Difference Game: New Year Illustrations for Brain Training / Recreation to Help Prevent Dementia and Memory Decline in Seniors

A spot-the-difference game that helps develop memory, concentration, and attention.

In nursing care facilities and day service centers, it’s often used as brain training for older adults.

In January, using New Year-themed illustrations for the spot-the-difference game is a great idea.

There are plenty of New Year motifs to choose from, such as kagami mochi, the zodiac animal, and kadomatsu decorations! Setting a time limit and tackling the game as a team can also lead to lively interaction with others.

Give it a try!

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Kawamura Mina

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