[For care facilities] Liven up your summer festival! A roundup of performances by staff
At summer festivals held at senior care facilities, many residents look forward to the performances put on by staff.
Lively, summery acts are a perfect fit for the occasion.
In this article, we’ll introduce staff performance ideas that are sure to get everyone excited.
On the day of the festival, let go of any shyness and have as much fun as you can.
When staff spend the time smiling, those smiles are sure to spread to the residents as well.
Plan a joyful summer festival with must-have attractions like dance, taiko drumming, fireworks displays, and handmade portable shrines (mikoshi)!
- For seniors: Simple and exciting! Ideas for staff performances
- [For Staff] Energize Your Nursing Home Respect-for-the-Aged Day! Performance Ideas Full of Laughter and Emotion
- [Respect-for-the-Aged Day Celebration] Crowd-Pleasing Performances: Ideas That Staff Can Enjoy Too
- [For Seniors] Fun Activities That Liven Up Cool Evening Festivals and Summer Festivals
- Performances to Liven Up New Year Parties for Elderly Care Facility Staff
- [For Care Facilities] Let’s Enjoy the Summer! A Collection of Wall Decoration Ideas
- [For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Simple Performances to Liven Up a Year-End Party
- [Elderly Care] Summary of Ideas and Recreational Activities Linked to August Events
- [Elderly Care Facilities] Let’s Have Fun Together! Exciting Sports Day Events
- [For Seniors] July Events: Recommended Recreation Ideas for Senior Facilities
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- Explaining interesting initiatives at nursing care facilities! We also introduce seasonal recreational activities.
- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
[For Care Facilities] Liven Up Your Summer Festival! A Roundup of Staff Performances (21–30)
Donpan Exercises
Do you know the song where the word “Donpan” is repeated? It’s one of those tunes where, as soon as you hear the melody, you think, “Oh, that song!” It’s fairly well-known, but the composer and original source are unclear; some say it might be based on the “Donpan-bushi.” Using that Donpan melody to enjoy the “Donpan Taiso” could make for a fun performance.
Clap your hands, slap your thighs—make active use of any parts you can stamp or tap.
It’s an easy song to create your own choreography for, and highly recommended.
Tokyo Ondo: Senior Exercise
Some older adults may have danced in yukata at summer festivals, right? There are many different bon-odori songs across Japan.
Each region has its own distinctive style, and “Tokyo Ondo” is one of them.
Its lively call-and-response shouts like “Hai-hai!” and “Yoisho!” are characteristic.
The choreography and the sound of the shamisen further enhance the festive atmosphere.
Of course, it’s also nice to dance while seated.
Since this song is used to cheer for the Yakult Swallows, it may also appeal to older adults who enjoy baseball.
Snack activity: shaved ice
Summer festivals are fun events, but because they get very crowded, older adults may be hesitant to attend.
So why not try making shaved ice for a snack activity at your facility or during dessert time at home? Home-use shaved ice machines are relatively affordable, and you can enjoy the classic summer treat by starting from shaving the ice yourself.
Prepare a few different syrups and pour them however you like.
Adding fruit or sweetened condensed milk can make for a more luxurious shaved ice.
flowing somen (nagashi-somen)
How about making a flowing somen setup indoors using bamboo? Let’s divide the project into two parts: the water channel for the somen to flow through, and the supporting structure.
For the support, tie several bamboo poles together and spread the top and bottom apart to form a stable base.
Since it can be difficult for older adults to catch somen with chopsticks, place the somen in small cups and let the cups flow instead.
Make sure the lids are closed tightly so they don’t open.
Once the cups are sent down, have everyone grab them by hand.
Prepare toppings besides somen as well, and enjoy a summery meal.
Handmade watermelon-splitting
How about enjoying the classic summer event, “watermelon splitting,” with a homemade watermelon? You can easily make it using an instant noodle cup container, construction paper, and vinyl tape.
First, cover the opening where the lid used to be with red construction paper and secure it with tape.
Next, wrap the sides and the bottom with green vinyl tape.
Apply thin black vinyl tape in radial lines on the sides and bottom to create the watermelon pattern.
Draw black seeds on the red paper, and it’s done.
Lightly tape two halves together, then have fun “splitting” it by hitting it with something like a plastic wrap tube.
In conclusion
How did you like the recommended attractions for the summer festival? Since it only happens once a year, we want older adults to have a great time.
Try putting on outfits that are different from usual, and prepare instruments or handmade items.
Spend a joyful time full of smiles together with the seniors.