[For Seniors] Find daily brain training. Today’s recommended brain workout.

Brain training with gojūon (Japanese syllabary) cards

[Fun Recreation] Brain Training with Japanese Syllabary Cards! Directly from Kenichi Yamaguchi!

As we age, it seems we may sometimes forget words.

So let’s use a set of kana cards to stimulate the brain.

First, arrange the cards in order starting from the A-row together with the older adult.

The act of arranging itself is said to help activate the brain.

Use the cards to form words—the more letters a word has, the higher the points.

Additionally, once a card has been used to make a word, it cannot be used again.

Treat voiced and semi-voiced marks (dakuten and handakuten) as a single card and make them count for points as well.

If someone can’t think of a word, it’s helpful for those around to offer hints like, “Let’s think of a word that starts with A.”

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Nakajima Junko

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10 educational quiz questions

[10 Beneficial Quizzes for Seniors] Easy multiple-choice with 4 options! Ideal quizzes for brain training and mental exercises for the elderly.

Here’s an introduction to quizzes that are beneficial for seniors.

Quizzes can be enjoyed during conversations with older adults or in small pockets of free time.

Plus, the act of thinking provides stimulation to the brain and can help keep it active.

Quizzes based on things seniors know or are familiar with are likely to be even more engaging.

Learning fun trivia they didn’t know before through quizzes can also make the experience enjoyable for seniors.

And when the quizzes focus on things they already know, getting the right answer can give them a real sense of accomplishment.

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Nakajima Junko

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Word association game: What comes to mind when you think of September?

@thinkbodyjapan

Word association game on the whiteboard!CaregivingNursing care facilityCaregiver#Caregiver'sDailyLifeRecreation

♫ Original song – TBJ / Care • Rehabilitation • Nursing – TBJ / Care • Rehabilitation • Nursing

Here is an idea for a fall-themed quiz that also serves as brain training.

Ask participants, “What comes to mind when you think of September?” and write their answers on a whiteboard.

Based on the words that come up, expand into a word-association game using the initial letters or themes.

For example, if someone says “tsukimi” (moon viewing), you can think of foods that start with “tsu,” and so on.

As people associate words, seasonal topics naturally arise, helping stimulate memory, vocabulary, and creativity.

Adding a time limit or team competition boosts the game aspect and encourages smiles and conversation.

By starting with familiar topics, it lowers the barrier to participation and makes an excellent fall recreation activity that can also serve as a conversation starter for older adults.

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mutō

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Kanji for sports

[Difficult Kanji Related to Sports] Impressive if You Can Read Them! A Challenging Kanji Quiz on Ball Sports (20 Questions in Total)

There are probably many seniors who look forward to sports news on TV and in the newspapers.

Sports like baseball and the Olympics can be enjoyable just to watch.

Some seniors may have played sports as a hobby in the past.

In that case, a sports-themed plastic bottle cap puzzle could be a great way to engage them.

Write the names of sports in kanji on the caps and place them on a sheet with the same sport written on it.

The sheet could also include illustrations of the sports.

We’d love for them to enjoy a kanji-based sports puzzle while getting into the spirit of sports.

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Nakajima Junko

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Grid-fill calculation

🐦 Fill-in-the-Grid Math 🐦 10 total questions! A brain-training puzzle where you fill in the blanks so the sums match the specified numbers! Activate your brain with calculations to help prevent dementia.

While brain-training activities recommended for seniors include word chain games (shiritori), riddles, and delayed rock-paper-scissors, this one involves doing arithmetic problems mentally.

Hearing “arithmetic problems” might make you think they’re difficult, but to activate the brain, it’s better to start with simple addition and subtraction rather than hard problems.

Even simple calculations can give you a sense of achievement when you solve them using your head.

As the exercises progress, the numbers get larger, so try gradually challenging yourself to speed up your calculations as well.

Brain training with Rock-Paper-Scissors on Mito Komon

[Dementia Prevention • Hand Exercises] Brain Training with Rock-Paper-Scissors to the Tune of Mito Kōmon!

Many older adults have probably watched the drama Mito Kōmon at least once, don’t you think? It’s about Mito Kōmon traveling around Japan, and the show’s theme song is famous too.

Using the theme song “Aa Jinsei ni Namida Ari,” let’s do a finger-play activity with the rock-paper-scissors motions.

Clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and pull it toward yourself, while making a hand (paper) with the other and extend it forward.

Another pattern is: clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and extend it forward, then use scissors to pull it back.

It might be easier for older adults to participate if it’s a song they already know.

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Nakajima Junko

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Word search with lyrics about Mt. Fuji

Word search game #shorts #dayservice #nursingcare #Aizen-en

Let’s enjoy some brain training using familiar children’s songs! This time, we’ll use the lyrics of “Mount Fuji.” We’ll make a fill-in-the-blank activity with parts of the lyrics missing, and have participants think about what words go there.

Instead of just recalling the lyrics, they will search for words from prepared letter cards and assemble them.

Finding the correct answer gives a real sense of accomplishment.

Using well-known songs familiar to seniors makes the activity approachable and can also lead into singing.

It’s a fun way to help prevent cognitive decline, so it’s recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.

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kojifumi

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