[For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
At day service centers and nursing care facilities, recreational activities are often held, right?
There are various activities tailored to the seasons and events, but this time we’ve gathered recreation ideas related to today.
They can be a great opportunity to learn about lesser-known events and anniversaries, and they might make for a unique change of pace from your usual activities.
We’ll update our recommended activities daily, so use them as a reference and have fun engaging and energizing your seniors!
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[For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Recreation: Fun and Lively (11–20)
Making seven-herb rice porridge
Would you like to enjoy making Nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge)? By identifying the seven herbs and actually cooking it together, older adults can share their knowledge and experiences.
As conversations blossom, it can also become a place for intergenerational exchange.
Sharing the warm porridge everyone made will create a warmth that makes you forget the winter cold.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to foster a sense of unity among older adults.
Let’s share a joyful time through this traditional New Year’s event that prays for good health.
Let’s try visiting a New Year’s shrine indoors.
By creating a shrine inside the facility and having residents pay their first visit of the New Year there, older adults can enjoy the experience.
Let facility staff or the seniors themselves play the roles of shrine maiden and priest.
First, purify the hands, then make an offering and prayer, draw an omikuji fortune, and head home.
Making authentic-looking omikuji will enhance the sense of realism.
Having an extraordinary experience in the familiar facility can feel refreshing and be a lot of fun.
It might also be enjoyable to make goshuin stamp books or protective amulets.
Please give it a try.
Star Toss Showdown
If you’re looking for a Tanabata-themed recreation activity for seniors, how about “Star Flick Battle”? In this game, you place many star-shaped paper cutouts on a table and use uchiwa fans to blow them toward the opponent’s side.
The team that gets the most stars into the other side’s territory wins.
It’s a seated activity, so it’s also reassuringly safe.
ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)
Tamaire, the ball-toss game often seen at school sports festivals.
Some older adults may have taken part in sports days and played tamaire in the past.
Here’s a perfect tamaire activity for a warm April day to get the body moving.
Because it’s a familiar game, it can help older adults refresh their mood and relieve stress.
Have participants sit in chairs and place a basket in the center.
Prepare red, white, and other colored balls, and have the participants throw them into the basket.
The person who gets the most balls in the basket wins.
Throwing with the arms and shoulders also provides upper-body exercise.
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)
When it comes to January activities the whole family can enjoy, “Fukuwarai” is a classic, isn’t it? I think it’s twice as fun if everyone makes their own instead of buying one! Whether the pieces end up in the right places or the face turns out a bit goofy, it’s fun either way—that’s the charm of Fukuwarai.
It might not be very familiar to many older adults, but there’s a song called “Fukuwarai” by the musician Yu Takahashi.
It’s about smiles making the world a happier place, and just listening to it can make you feel really happy.
If you get the chance, please give it a listen!
Sugoroku exercises
Sugoroku is a traditional game in which you roll a die and move forward the number of spaces shown until you reach the goal.
Many people may have played it with family and friends over New Year’s or the winter holidays.
“Sugoroku Taiso” incorporates physical activity into this classic game.
It’s perfect for the winter season, when it’s easy to avoid going outside to exercise.
It also helps prevent frailty in older adults, and it’s fun both as an individual or team competition, so why not try it at home or at a day service facility?
[For Seniors] Today's Recommended Recreation. Fun and Lively (21–30)
Karaoke Contest
Karaoke competitions are a popular event that many seniors look forward to.
The time spent singing nostalgic songs is truly precious.
When singing classics by Hibari Misora or Hiroshi Itsuki, smiles naturally appear.
Singing together makes the time even more enjoyable.
When choosing songs, be sure to listen carefully to the seniors’ preferences and offer support.
Adding live instrument accompaniment is wonderful, too.
Let’s create a lovely time where each and every senior can take center stage.