[For Seniors] Whiteboard Activities: Engaging and Energizing Older Adults

The five basic seasonings: sa (sugar), shi (salt), su (vinegar), se (soy sauce), so (miso).

Slogan Activity Intro: The Seasonings Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So [Light Whiteboard Recreation for Cognitive Training and Elderly Care Prevention]

“Seasoning sa-shi-su-se-so” is a basic rule that says dishes turn out tastier if you add seasonings in this order: sugar, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, and miso.

A whiteboard activity themed on this can stimulate seniors’ brains while encouraging lively conversation.

First, everyone learns the order and meaning, then expands the discussion by asking, “What dishes do you use these in?” This naturally brings up old memories and signature recipes, creating an engaging atmosphere.

By thinking about the reasons and putting them into words, it becomes easier to remember and makes for an enjoyable, educational recreation.

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kojifumi

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Evacuation Drill Slogan Recitation

Slogan Activities Part 2: Evacuation Drill Edition [Senior Care Prevention Brain Training Mini Activity Whiteboard Activity]

Here are ideas for a “Evacuation Drill Slogan Rec” that engages the brain while raising disaster-preparedness awareness.

The goal is to understand the basics of disaster safety—“O… don’t push (osanai),” “Ka… don’t run (kakenai),” and “Shi… don’t talk (shaberanai)”—and, by repeating these phrases, to enable correct actions in an emergency.

Start by writing these ‘OKASHI’ points on a whiteboard to confirm their exact meanings.

Writing, seeing, and saying them helps fix them in memory and makes them become second nature.

It’s also effective to deepen learning by introducing extended patterns like “OKASHIMO,” adding “Mo… don’t go back (modoranai).” This is a recreational activity that develops disaster-preparedness skills seriously while having fun.

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kojifumi

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Speaking of July

[Classic] They just keep coming! July brain training for seniors: collecting words using a whiteboard

When you think of summer vacation, fireworks festivals, and Marine Day, does July come to mind? A whiteboard activity themed around July can help older adults recall the season.

Summer days spent feeling the heat—like eating watermelon with family or seeing sunflowers blooming in the garden.

Through a whiteboard activity, it may prompt older adults to look back on their memories of July.

As they share stories from past Julys, it’s likely to spark lively conversations with those around them.

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Nakajima Junko

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Color Game

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

How about a color game as a whiteboard activity? For this game, prepare papers with color words written on them.

The key is to make the kanji different from the actual color of the text.

Instead of reading the words on the papers attached to the whiteboard, ask the participating seniors to say the color of the letters.

It may seem easy, but it actually trips people up and often leads to lots of laughs.

Because you see with your eyes and think with your head, it’s effective for reflexes and brain training.

Start by letting them answer slowly and thoughtfully, then gradually pick up the pace.

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moko

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What ◯◯ comes with ◯◯?

[What's a ___ that starts with ___?] A failproof, never-boring brain training activity [Whiteboard Recreation]

The “What ◯◯ starts with ◯◯?” game sparks imagination and gets everyone excited.

As long as you have a whiteboard, it works as a brain-training activity even for large groups, so it should be easy to use in senior care facilities with many participants.

For example, the first blank is a single Japanese syllable, and the second blank is a category, like “Foods that start with i” or “Animals that start with ka.” It’s a question format that doesn’t get stale or run out of ideas easily, and it’s nice that the person asking the questions doesn’t have to prepare much.

Both the host and the players can enjoy it together, so let’s liven up your day service with this game!

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miyabi

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Word association game

[Simple Brain Training] Association games are apparently good for spare moments!

Let’s use a whiteboard to play an association game.

Since it’s a group recreation activity, communication naturally develops as you play together, helping older adults deepen their relationships with one another.

Moreover, making various associations can lead to new discoveries, providing beneficial stimulation for the brain.

The appeal lies in training creativity and imagination.

Try the association game and work your brain as you arrive at the correct answers.