[May Health Topic] Introducing recreational activities for seniors!
May is a month full of seasonal events, such as Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.
The weather becomes milder and more comfortable, making it easier for older adults to stay active.
With that in mind, this time we’re introducing easy, enjoyable recreational activities for seniors.
By incorporating crafts and songs unique to May, you can create an atmosphere where participants feel the season while having fun.
Everything is simple to try, so please enjoy participating together with the older adults around you.
- [For Seniors] Enjoy May! Recommended Recreational Activities and Games
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for May: A Roundup of Ideas That Get Everyone Engaged
- [For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!
- [For Seniors] May-Themed Wall Decoration Ideas Full of Seasonal Flair
- [For Seniors] May Calendar Craft: Fun and Easy
- [Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Cherry-Blossom Viewing! Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Enjoy May: A Collection of Seasonal Craft and Wall Decoration Ideas
- For Seniors: Snacks to Make in May That Capture the Season
- [For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas
- With upbeat rhythm routines! Music therapy for seniors
- [For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Mother's Day
[May Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors! (31–40)
Fan Beanbag Relay
Let me introduce a fan-and-beanbag relay that everyone can enjoy.
Have participants sit in chairs in a single row, and use handheld fans to pass along a beanbag.
Because it’s done while seated, even people who find it difficult to stand or move their bodies can likely take part.
Since both the fan and the beanbag are light, it doesn’t require much strength.
And with fans and beanbags, there’s less risk of injury if something is dropped.
Through the relay, people will call out to one another and work together as a team.
It might even spark new interactions.
You can also make it more exciting by forming two lines and holding a head-to-head relay competition.
Beanbag Catch
Let’s have fun with a beanbag-catching game.
Toss beanbags to older adults seated in chairs, and have them catch the beanbags using a container.
Everyday items like a colander, bowl, or sushi tub work just fine.
It’s enjoyable with both large and small groups.
A team competition to see who can catch the most beanbags is also recommended.
The lively atmosphere will likely encourage interaction among participants, and it’s a refreshing activity for everyone.
Beanbag Catch Relay
Using beanbags and a bucket, here’s a beanbag catch relay.
Have the older adults sit in chairs in a single line.
Give the bucket to the person at one end, and have each person catch the beanbag that comes their way using the bucket.
After catching the beanbag, pass the bucket to the next person.
Catching the beanbag that flies toward you is said to help train reflexes.
Even while seated, you’ll be moving your body, so you can do brain training and exercise at the same time.
Once everyone gets used to it, gradually adjust the difficulty by increasing the throwing speed of the beanbags.
It really livens things up, and attempting tasks that feel a bit challenging is also said to help activate the brain.
Foot Beanbag Bingo
One activity option for events and parties is a bingo game.
Many older adults are already familiar with bingo, aren’t they? While bingo is usually played on paper, this time we’ll introduce a version that uses the feet and beanbags.
Prepare nine paper plates or cups, and have the older adults use their feet to toss beanbags into them.
Use colored tape to group the plates or cups by color, and change the score based on where the beanbag lands.
For example, award 20 points if the beanbag lands in a plate or cup of the same color, and 10 points if it’s a different color.
Because they lift their legs to toss the beanbags, older adults can enjoy the game while also training their legs.
Chair exercises in May
In May the temperature becomes pleasant and there are more days you can spend comfortably.
Chair exercises for May, which you can do while seated, are perfect for this comfortable season.
It’s a good time to move your body, but we recommend easy, seated exercises that suit each senior’s physical condition.
Because the movements involve slowly moving the hands and feet to the music of children’s songs, they’re enjoyable to do.
Also, recalling and singing the lyrics stimulates the brain, making it a sure way to help prevent dementia.
Be mindful to incorporate diaphragmatic breathing as well.
[May Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors! (41–50)
Recommended Exercises for May
Many senior and welfare facilities probably do daily exercises, don’t they? Here are some exercises perfect for May events and recreational activities.
Have the seniors share things that evoke May, and do exercises while singing May-related songs like “Koinobori.” You can incorporate these not only into special events and recreation, but also into your regular exercise routines.
By doing movements inspired by May, some seniors may feel a sense of the season.
It might even spark lively conversations about their memories of May.
Super Ball Relay
Introducing the Super Ball Relay, a game that can be enjoyed by small groups to large gatherings.
All you need are paper cups and super balls.
Participants sit in a circle or around a table, each holding a paper cup.
Place a super ball in the first person’s cup, then pass the ball to the next person using the cups.
The goal is to pass it all the way to the last person.
Predicting the ball’s movement and tilting the cup accordingly, as well as figuring out how to receive the super ball, provides great stimulation for the brain.
You can also vary the fun by racing for speed or increasing the number of super balls.
