[For Seniors] Guaranteed to Liven Things Up! A Collection of Brain Training Activities That Will Spark Laughter

Rock, paper, scissors

Tips for Big Laughs: 5 Patterns to Create Humor Using Only Rock, Paper, Scissors

Movements of the hands and fingers are closely connected to the brain’s nerves, so they have a deep relationship.

It’s said that moving the hands and fingers can help prevent dementia and reduce the risk of falls.

Many senior care facilities likely incorporate activities that move the fingers, such as the rock–paper–scissors exercise.

So, let’s add a little twist to your usual finger exercises.

Try doing rock–paper–scissors gradually faster, or go in reverse—paper, scissors, rock—while speeding up.

It’s also great to add handclaps in between, or make a fox shape with your hand.

It’s okay to make mistakes with this exercise, and not doing it perfectly will probably bring some laughs.

It’s a finger workout you can enjoy while having fun.

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Nakajima Junko

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Ochyaraka Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise

Finger Play Brain Training: Ocharaka Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise Part 1 #funny #braintraining #fun #recreation

Ocharaka is a rock-paper-scissors game played by two people facing each other.

You play rock-paper-scissors to the lyrics of the children’s song “Ocharaka Hoi,” striking a pose when you win, lose, or tie.

Its lively tempo makes it perfect as a finger exercise.

Also, many older adults may be familiar with Ocharaka, right? Playing Ocharaka-style rock-paper-scissors might even bring back childhood memories for some people.

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Nakajima Junko

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Pikagoro

Senior recreation—guaranteed big laughs! Pikagoro lets you enjoy fun brain training. #RecreationForSeniors #BrainTraining #Easy #Fun #Entertaining

As we age, it’s said that handling multiple tasks at the same time becomes more difficult.

Using both the mind and body has brain-training benefits, and if you move your body while thinking, you can expect even greater brain activation.

This time, I’ll introduce the Pika-Goro game.

Have the older adults sit facing each other, each holding two sticks.

The caller says “pika-pika” or “goro-goro.” On the cue “dokan,” the older adults should both grip the sticks and raise them.

Once everyone gets used to it, calling out “pika-pika” or “goro-goro” several times and then feinting can make it even more exciting.

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Nakajima Junko

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Count numbers alternately

[Finger Exercises, 3 Types] Alternating number counting is simple yet difficult [Dementia Prevention]

Aren’t there many senior and welfare facilities that incorporate finger exercises? Counting with your fingers is said to be a simple yet very profound exercise.

Make a fist with one hand and, with the other hand, raise the same number of fingers as the number you say out loud.

Alternate between left and right.

Once you get used to it, try adding movements such as clapping in between or crossing your hands.

This increases the difficulty.

Performing multiple actions at the same time is also said to help prevent falls.

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Nakajima Junko

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Rhythmic exercises to a children’s song

If you want everyone to have fun together, this is it! Rhythm activities to “Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree.” #musictherapy #musicactivity #dayservice #dayrec #recreation #seniors

This is an exercise routine performed to the tune of the children’s song “Antagata Dokosa.” Nursery rhymes evoke a sense of nostalgia, don’t they? It’s a familiar song for older adults as well, so it should be easy to exercise while singing along.

Movements that synchronize with the timing—like lifting your foot on the syllable “sa”—also seem helpful for dementia prevention.

Incorporating it into your morning routine makes for a refreshing start to the day.

Clapping your hands and moving your arms and legs lets you enjoy both fun and rhythm at the same time, which is a big draw.

You can also do it seated, adjusting to the physical and mental condition of older adults.

Clapping Exercise

[Laugh-Inducing Exercise] How to Create Laughter with Just Clapping – Senior Recreation – Smile Up Exercise – Smile Up Taiso

It’s said that moving your hands and fingers is good brain training, and it’s practiced widely in caregiving settings.

A hand-based recreation that uses this idea is the “Clapping Exercise.” Since it’s simply a game where participants match the presenter’s claps, many people may wonder whether it can really be fun.

However, this activity can become very lively depending on the presenter’s talk skills.

Because older adults can easily get off beat, it might be nice to have everyone clap to a steady rhythm and turn any mistakes into shared laughter.

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Ryo

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one hundred twenty-three to the fourth to the second to the fifth

Brain Training Exercises with Songs: Senior Recreation – 1-2-3, 4, 2, 5 – Easy Exercises

They say the hands are a second brain, and moving your hands and fingers a lot is said to increase blood flow to the brain.

Because of that, it’s expected to help prevent dementia as well.

So, while saying the numbers from 1 to 5, let’s hold up the same number of fingers.

Count along to a melody as you do it.

It seems the lyrics vary by region and locality, so this counting song could also be a good conversation starter with older adults who know the lyrics.

It’s a finger-play activity that can help spark conversation.

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Nakajima Junko

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