[November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
November brings more cold days, and it’s a time when many older adults spend more days indoors.
People tend to move their bodies less, but it’s best to stay as active as possible and promote circulation.
Improved circulation can be expected to have certain benefits, such as helping prevent illness, relieving stress, and stabilizing mental well-being.
Moreover, November is also a time when interactions with others tend to decrease.
When social contact declines, many older adults experience cognitive decline and feelings of loneliness.
With that in mind, this time we’re introducing health ideas for seniors that are recommended for November.
We’ve gathered plenty of easy indoor exercises and games, as well as crafts themed around November.
Please use these as a reference and give them a try.
- For Seniors: Simple and Fun! November Recreation Ideas
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
- [For Seniors] Recommended Trivia Quizzes & Fun Facts for November
- [For Senior Facilities] Lively and Fun! November Quiz
- [October Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors!
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- Recommended Indoor Exercises for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
- [For Seniors] Liven Up November Day Services! Fun Autumn Event Ideas
- [For seniors] January health topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games
- September Health Topic: Introducing Recreational Activities That Capture the Feeling of Autumn’s Arrival
- [May Health Topic] Introducing recreational activities for seniors!
- [For Seniors] Fun Origami Ideas to Feel the Season in November
[November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Seniors (61–70)
Balloon holder bag with a string
Here’s a string-and-balloon game that’s sure to liven up spring events and gatherings.
Have several older adults sit in chairs facing each other, each holding one end of a string so that paired participants are connected and keep the string taut.
By moving the string up and down or sliding it side to side, they work together to carry a balloon to the goal.
Cooperation is key in this game.
Because participants call out to each other as they play, it naturally encourages communication as well.
Fluffy ball
Let’s have fun with a game where you compete for points using balloons.
Inflate a balloon and tie a string to it with a weight attached to the end.
Before you start, write point values on the floor.
Aim for the spaces with the written points and throw the balloon.
The person who scores the most points wins.
The trick seems to be to swing the weight firmly as you throw the balloon.
Throwing the balloon can also be an effective workout for the upper body and arms.
Since balloons aren’t very heavy, there’s little risk of injury if they’re dropped, which is nice.
Strikeout
Strikeout is a game where you throw a ball at targets labeled with numbers.
In addition to being expected to help with arm exercise, strikeout is also said to strengthen the core.
By training your core, your body’s balance becomes more stable, which can help prevent falls.
It’s a game where you knock down numbered targets, so you can have fun while getting a workout.
Since it’s a lively game that many people can enjoy together, it would be great to include it in an April cherry-blossom viewing recreation.
How about making the targets not with numbers, but with illustrations or photos related to cherry-blossom viewing?
Soran-bushi exercise
Many older adults may be familiar with the Soran Bushi, don’t you think? I’ve heard it’s sometimes performed at school sports days.
Just hearing the rhythm and calls of Soran Bushi can make you feel energized.
Let’s try some exercises to the spirited rhythm of Soran Bushi.
Move your body by extending your hands forward or raising them overhead like a banzai cheer.
It can be done while seated, so many older adults should be able to take part.
If it’s a song they know, older adults will likely enjoy doing the exercises comfortably.
Plastic Bottle Bowling
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bowling was hugely popular in Japan.
It’s said there were more than 3,500 bowling alleys nationwide, and bowling TV programs were very well received.
Let’s enjoy a bowling game that’s sure to spark nostalgic conversation.
Line up several plastic bottles on a table and have older adults roll a ball at them.
Since it’s a seated bowling activity, it’s suitable for people who have difficulty standing or who use wheelchairs.
With calls like “So close!” and “Strike!” the room is sure to take on a warm, friendly atmosphere.
ball rec
Recreational activities that use soft, lightweight balls are recommended for older adults.
Throwing and catching the ball engages various physical and sensory abilities such as muscle strength, grip strength, and dynamic visual acuity.
Simply touching a ball that can roll or be squeezed is also enjoyable for its tactile feel.
This is said to have beneficial effects on the brain as well.
There are ball-based activities that can be done while seated in a chair, making them accessible to many seniors.
Have the participants sit in a circle and pass the ball forward and backward.
If someone can stand steadily, have them walk to the side and hand the ball to the person next to them.
This helps improve core balance.
Ball-Picking Game
When April comes, the weather becomes mild and there are more pleasantly warm days, don’t you think? It’s also a time when it’s easier to move your body, so why not have some fun with a simple game? Here’s a ball-collecting game that uses lots of balls.
Roll many balls across a table toward older adults seated in chairs.
The seated participants holding containers will pick up the balls as they roll toward them.
Since it can be done while seated, it’s accessible for those who have difficulty standing or for older adults who use wheelchairs.