Fun Brain Training! Memory Games for Seniors

Short-term Memory Game

Short-term memory game, day service, recreational activities for seniors

How about trying a “short-term memory game” where you record prompts in a short time? Here’s how it works: place several familiar items on a table, then cover them, and have the player recall what was there.

To increase the difficulty, you can add more items or require more detailed answers about the items.

You could also use a format like, “How many red items are there?” It might be fun to have multiple people bring items and quiz each other, too.

Set rules that fit the number of participants.

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yamamoto

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Mackerel and Spanish mackerel: a game where you only take the cards with the same kanji

Card battling game, two types, elderly people, recreation, day service, rec activities, caregiving, indoor game, party, game

If you want to train your visual discrimination, try this! Here’s a game where you only grab cards with the same kanji.

First, write two similar-looking kanji—such as 鯖 and 鰆—on cards, making sure each one appears the same number of times.

When the game begins, one person quickly gathers all the mackerel (saba) cards, while the other quickly gathers all the Spanish mackerel (sawara) cards.

The player who gathers all of their cards first wins.

Because you have to instantly tell apart similar shapes, it naturally boosts fine visual recognition, and it also seems to improve concentration and decision-making.

It’s fun to include a variety of kanji, symbols, or pictures, too.

Give it a try for inspiration!

A game where you create prefecture names using 16 katakana characters

[Elderly Recreation] Rec Master Series Part 16: 'Find the Prefecture'

Let me introduce a fun thinking game where you create Japanese prefecture names using 16 katakana characters.

Write one katakana character per square on a sheet, preparing a paper with 16 characters.

Then, combine the katakana to see how many prefecture names you can form and compete for the highest count.

It’s likely to get lively if you split into teams, set a time limit at each table, and take on the challenge.

It’s also a fun game that can help prevent cognitive decline and stimulate communication, so give it a try.

You might discover something new!

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mayumi

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Fuzzy Memory Quiz

[Today's Rec] "August 20 (Sat)" Easy indoor recreation using a whiteboard: "Vague Memory Quiz"

This is a quiz where you’re asked to identify the exact shapes or sequences of things you casually see in everyday life.

The choice of questions—like traffic light colors or corporate logos—is an important point, and the more something blends into daily life, the harder it is to recall accurately.

If you sketch what vaguely comes to mind on a whiteboard, it can help organize your memory and bring you closer to the answer.

By retracing your own memories and clearly imagining the shapes, let’s work on stimulating your brain.

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kappamaki

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Word search with lyrics about Mt. Fuji

Word search game #shorts #dayservice #nursingcare #Aizen-en

Let’s enjoy some brain training using familiar children’s songs! This time, we’ll use the lyrics of “Mount Fuji.” We’ll make a fill-in-the-blank activity with parts of the lyrics missing, and have participants think about what words go there.

Instead of just recalling the lyrics, they will search for words from prepared letter cards and assemble them.

Finding the correct answer gives a real sense of accomplishment.

Using well-known songs familiar to seniors makes the activity approachable and can also lead into singing.

It’s a fun way to help prevent cognitive decline, so it’s recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.

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kojifumi

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Word Search: Constellations Edition

[Brain Training & Early Learning] Word Search Constellations Edition Part 1 (7 Questions in Total)

Among the letters scattered in a 6-by-6 grid, the names of constellations are hidden.

The names can appear in three directions—vertical, horizontal, and diagonal—and some must be read from right to left or bottom to top, so read carefully to find the correct combinations.

Each puzzle has a time limit, which can make you feel rushed, but it’s important to stay calm and focused.

Since the answers are constellation names, it may be somewhat difficult for those not familiar with them.

Studying constellations in advance could be the key to success.

Learning new knowledge also helps stimulate the brain, so it may be effective in preventing cognitive decline.

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kojifumi

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Letter Display Game

[Senior Recreation] Easy Activities Using a Whiteboard [Day Service Recreation, Brain Training, Preventive Care]

Let’s try a “letter-picking game” using hiragana magnets and a whiteboard! In this game, you pick one magnet with a letter from the a-ka-sa-ta-na rows, decide a theme based on the letter that comes up, and give an answer.

For example, for place names or countries that start with “a,” answers could be Akita Prefecture or America.

You can prepare a variety of themes in advance, or let older adults choose the themes—it should be fun either way.

Since it can be played while seated and is effective as brain training, it’s perfect for recreational activities in senior care facilities.

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moko

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