![[Enjoyable for people with hemiplegia too] Participate while seated! Simple and fun recreation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/KY1jNCI9LTs/maxresdefault.webp)
You want to make rehabilitation for people with hemiplegia more effective while still having fun, right? This time, we’re introducing enjoyable, easy-to-try recreational activities.
There are plenty of options that get the body moving and bring smiles, such as the newspaper-rolling game, a cup-and-ball toy made from milk cartons, and finger exercises.
They can be enjoyed alone or with others, and the appeal is that you can continue at your own pace without overexertion.
You can expect various benefits, like improving finger dexterity and training balance.
Facility staff should ensure safety by staying nearby to supervise and support.
Try incorporating these into daily life to make functional recovery both fun and effective!
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Liven Things Up! A Collection of Brain Training Activities That Will Spark Laughter
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Recommended Even for People with Dementia! Simple Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Introducing Recreational Activities Anyone Can Enjoy at Geriatric Health Facilities!
- [For Seniors] Core Training: Recommended Simple Rehabilitation
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
- [For Seniors] A roundup of games using disposable chopsticks: Chopstick activities that also support rehabilitation
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- Enjoy a Comfortable Hospital Stay! Fun Pastime Activities Recommended for Seniors
[Fun for People with Hemiplegia Too] Participate While Seated! Simple and Entertaining Recreations (1–10)
StrikeoutNEW!
Let us introduce “strikeout,” a game where you throw balls one by one at a target board labeled with the numbers 1 through 9 and knock them down.
Prepare a slightly larger number of balls and challenge yourself to see how many targets you can knock down with the balls you have.
If several people are playing, you can also compete to see who can knock down the most targets.
Throwing a ball helps strengthen the muscles in your shoulders and arms and also improves flexibility.
It also trains your core, making it a game that can have positive effects on your daily life.
Boccia-style gameNEW!
Draw a square on the floor with tape, and the players face each other and throw balls toward the square.
Prepare balls in two colors so it’s clear which player threw which.
Each player throws the same number of balls, and after all throws are done, the player with more of their balls inside the square wins.
The key to this game is to aim for the square while also targeting the opponent’s balls to push them out.
When throwing, remain seated in a chair, lean your upper body forward, and roll the ball along the floor.
Paper Cup Curling
Let me introduce Paper Cup Curling.
Prepare some paper cups, marbles, and a sheet with point values, and let’s get started.
Attach the scoring sheet lengthwise to the table.
The key is to place the higher-point areas a bit farther away.
Participants sit in front of the scoring sheet, put a marble into a paper cup, and slide it forward with momentum.
Choose which score you want to aim for and slide the cup toward that target.
The person with the highest total score wins.
Experiment with how hard to push and how to slide the paper cup—good luck!
Opening a plastic bottle cap
Opening plastic bottle caps can be a fun rehabilitation activity.
The motion of opening the cap exercises your fingers and helps improve flexibility.
Adjusting the amount of force as you open it also trains hand dexterity and control.
It’s practical training that can be applied immediately in daily life.
It’s also a good opportunity to improve concentration.
However, it’s important to do it within a comfortable range.
Keep safety in mind and enjoy the activity.
With a bit of creativity, there are many ways to make it enjoyable!
Rolling up a newspaper with one hand
We’d like to introduce a one-handed newspaper-rolling game that you can enjoy without putting stress on your legs or back.
Prepare some newspapers and start the game.
There are two ways to play: a one-handed version and a two-handed version.
For people with hemiplegia, have them participate using their unaffected hand.
Sit in chairs and compete with several people; the first person to finish rolling up the newspaper wins.
There’s also a length challenge: using the same newspaper, the person who rolls it the longest wins.
The key is to actively use your fingertips as you roll.
Playing some music during the game might make it even more exciting.
Rolling Table Tennis
Here’s an introduction to playing table tennis using pool noodles, which are also sold at 100-yen shops.
Pool noodles are soft, sponge-like sticks.
Although they’re originally used for swimming, their soft material and shape make them useful for all kinds of games.
This time, we’ll attach pool noodles to a table or cut them to a handheld length.
If you prepare a ping-pong ball, you can enjoy a version of table tennis you can play on a table.
Since everything used for this game is soft and lightweight, it should be easy for older adults to handle.
You simply roll the ball across the tabletop, so it doesn’t require much strength, which is another nice benefit.
Parachute Game
Let me introduce a simple parachute game that’s easy to prepare.
Get some clothespins, a bag, and a target, and let’s have fun.
Clip a clothespin to the bottom of the bag to make a weight—your parachute is ready.
Throw the parachute toward the target.
The target has point values written on it, and you’ll add up your points.
The person with the highest score at the end wins.
It’s a parachute game everyone can enjoy together, so give it a try! It’s also a great way to spark conversation.