Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
Birthday parties, senior appreciation events, Christmas parties… Care facilities like day services hold seasonal events every month.
Many of you probably find yourselves thinking, “What should we do this time?”
In this article, we’ll introduce performances and acts that staff can put on, as well as activities and entertainment you can enjoy together with older adults.
You don’t have to follow these exactly—feel free to adapt any ideas you like to suit your facility.
That can be fun, too.
We hope you find this helpful!
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[For Seniors] Entertainment and Performances That Will Delight at Day Service Centers (11–20)
Finger magic
Speaking of finger magic, the classic is making a finger stretch, but this one is a trick where the number of fingers increases.
First, prepare a thin cloth like a handkerchief and hold it in your right hand.
Make the number “1” with the fingers of your left hand and cover it with the handkerchief.
While you count down like “3, 2, 1,” change your left hand into the shape of the number “2,” then remove the handkerchief.
Say something like, “Huh? My fingers turned into two!” to convey the surprise.
There’s truly no special gimmick to this trick, but it surprisingly gets people excited.
Encourage older adults to give it a try too!
Swan Lake
How about a ballet appreciation event for your next activity or celebration? Let’s have the residents enjoy a lovely ballet performed by the staff.
A piece as famous as Swan Lake should be familiar to many older adults, shouldn’t it? A ballet set to the wonderful music of Swan Lake is likely to delight them.
You can also create a humorous ballet with a bit of creativity.
For example, having a male staff member dress up as a ballerina will make it even more exciting.
It’s the kind of performance that will end with big applause.
Cross-dressing contest
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♬ Original Song – Heartful Sank – Heartful Sank
What would happen if a man you know well suddenly cross-dressed? It’s not something you often see in everyday life, but cross-dressing can really liven up an event.
For example, men dressed as women could take turns walking the stage like in a fashion show.
Even older adults would likely respond with applause and laughter.
Cross-dressing is easy to do using 100-yen shop items or things sold online, like schoolgirl or maid outfits.
On top of that, performing songs or dances is also recommended.
Bingo game
A crowd-pleasing activity, even when there’s nothing particularly funny about it, is the bingo game.
The thrill when you’re one number away.
The excitement of not knowing which prize you’ll win.
It’s fun to watch almost everyone in the venue react with joy or disappointment to each number that’s called.
Choosing the prizes is also a key point, so be sure to put some effort into it.
balloon art
https://www.tiktok.com/@dayservicekokoan/video/7415995270200085768It’s an art form where you twist and combine balloons to create various shapes.
Watching balloons transform into animals or flowers right before their eyes seems like something older adults would enjoy as well.
Balloon art ranges from easy pieces to more advanced ones.
If you’re not used to making them, why not start with simpler creations? Balloon art made for events or gatherings would likely be appreciated as gifts for seniors, too.
You can also find instructions for balloon art online, so use them as a reference and give it a try.
doppelgänger doll
The “doppelgänger puppet dance” features a person dancing in the center, connected by rods to puppets of the same size placed on the left and right, and performing as one.
It takes a bit of practice to pull off, but when done well, the person and the puppets move in perfect sync, making it a very entertaining act to watch.
Dressing in drag, using eye-catching costumes and makeup, and creating a more flamboyant look will make it even more exciting! Any song works, but older adults will especially enjoy popular tunes from their generation.
If you can prepare the puppets, this is highly recommended!
Gonzo Tambourine
Gonzo, a solo comedian, is also known as a tambourine player.
He’s even taken his tambourine performances overseas.
When you think of a tambourine, most people imagine playing rhythms by hitting it with your hands, but in his case, he uses his entire body to make it sound.
The contrast between his comical appearance as a comedian and his intensely serious gaze, combined with his nimble movements, keeps you laughing and genuinely moved.
Let’s try the Gonzo-style tambourine! It takes a lot of practice, but if you pull it off, it’s guaranteed to bring the house down!
Shopping Boogie
If you’re looking for a dance number with a comedic touch, how about performing Shizuko Kasagi’s “Shopping Boogie”? She sang this song at the 2nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1952, and many older folks have likely heard it at least once.
The classic look is to sing while wearing geta sandals and carrying a shopping basket on your arm—so definitely put effort into the costume! There are moments where you’ll need to move with somewhat tricky steps and formations, so watch closely and practice well.
Hige Dance
The Drifters’ “Hige Dance,” which was hugely popular in the Showa era.
The dance, performed by Cha Kato and Ken Shimura in the skit segment of “It’s 8 O’Clock! Everybody Gather,” incorporated elements of street performance, so many seniors know it well and it’s likely to be a big hit.
All you need to prepare for costumes is the mustache, making it simple and easy to get ready.
wotagei
It may be unfamiliar to older adults, but “wotagei,” which is becoming a staple for entertainment segments, is also recommended.
To make it a success, the key is to choose songs that older people will recognize.
Wotagei uses glow sticks, so the sight of them shining in a dark room creates an extraordinary atmosphere.
They’ll probably ask, “What’s that?” so be sure to explain it to them.
This performance might even spark an interest in idols or live concerts among some older adults.