Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games

Work experience in a hospital as a physical therapistNakamū
I worked as a physical therapist at a general hospital for about four years. I’ve supported a wide range of patients, from those needing emergency rehabilitation to those doing rehabilitation at home at a comfortable pace. As a writer, I’d be happy to share health-related information with many people. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you!
Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

January brings cold winds and a lingering chill in the air.

Here are some recommended recreational activities and games for older adults that are perfect for January.

We’ve gathered many options that can be enjoyed in a warm indoor setting!

As the weather gets colder, people tend to move less—so let’s get the body moving through games!

And of course, January means New Year’s.

New Year-themed activities and games might help older adults recall fond memories of the games they played in their childhood.

Enjoy a fun time with January-themed recreation while sparking lively conversations.

[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games (1–10)

January 25: Steamed Bun Day, making Chinese-style steamed buns

[Senior Recreation] Reku Craftsman Series Part 252: “January 25 is Chinese Steamed Bun Day—Easy! Gyoza Bun Snack Made with Sliced Bread”

January 25: Steamed Bun Day, making Chinese-style steamed buns

January 25 is Chinese Steamed Bun Day.

It’s said to be based on the day when the lowest temperature in Japan’s meteorological history was recorded.

The day carries the hope that people will warm up by eating piping-hot steamed buns on a cold day.

How about incorporating steamed bun making into your January snack recreation? It’s easy if you use sliced bread for the dough and gyoza for the filling.

Wrap cooked gyoza with sliced bread (with the crusts cut off).

Using plastic wrap while wrapping makes it easier.

Then microwave the wrapped gyoza, and you’re done.

Since this can be made while seated at a table, many older adults are likely to be able to participate in the snack activity.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Visiting a shrine and bean-throwing

Going strong in 2023 too! Special feature on day service event activities for January and February! #DayService #Elderly #Activities #NewYear #Bean-Throwing

Visiting a shrine and bean-throwing

When you think of New Year’s, many people probably think of hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.

While many of us went every year when we were younger, it can be difficult to go as we get older.

For seniors in that situation, an indoor hatsumode can be a delightful alternative.

In the day service featured in this video, they made a small, homemade torii gate and had the seniors come to pay their respects.

The handmade coins used as offerings and the fortune slips (omikuji) add to the atmosphere and are wonderful touches.

A hatsumode recreation is perfect for kicking off the new year—give it a try for inspiration!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Daruma making

[Care Activities/Seasonal Crafts] Would you like to make a 100% celebratory Daruma? [Recrea]

Daruma making

Let’s try a hands-on craft perfect for January: making a daruma! First, cut thick paper into a circle to create the base.

Take a sheet of red construction paper, crumple it once to add texture, then tear it into pieces and glue them onto the base.

Add patterns to complete the daruma’s body.

Next, draw the face on a separate piece of paper, cut it out, and glue it onto the base—your daruma is done! It’s very simple, so give it a try.

Daruma are traditionally red, but I think it would look cute in any color you like.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Big kendama

[Cheerful Recreation 🏀] Super fun! Easy 100-yen store activity! Giant Kendama

Big kendama

How about a “Giant Kendama” as a recommended recreation activity for January? The materials are pool noodles, paper cups, colored balls, and string—all available at 100-yen shops.

Using the video as a guide, attach a string to the bottom of a paper cup and secure a colored ball to the end of the string.

Then attach the pool noodle to the paper cup, and your Giant Kendama is complete! The rules are the same as a regular kendama: it’s a success if the ball lands in the cup.

Because the handle is made long with a pool noodle, it’s trickier than you might expect.

Older adults will surely get absorbed in it like when they were children.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Making amazake

How to Make Amazake Using Only Rice Koji — A Recipe for Amazake Made with White Rice and Koji / How to Make Rice-Koji Amazake

Making amazake

Did you know that amazake, a sweet drink that has long been loved by many, offers a variety of health benefits? In fact, amazake is rich in dietary fiber, which helps improve gut health and can moderate the rise in blood sugar levels after meals.

It may also promote healthy hair and skin, and aid in recovery from fatigue! Why not make some amazake and serve it to older adults? All you need is koji and water.

Mix koji with hot water and keep it warm at 55–60°C (131–140°F) for about six hours.

Using a yogurt maker or a rice cooker makes it easy.

Add hot water to taste to the finished mixture, and your delicious amazake is ready.

It contains no added sugar and 0% alcohol, so it’s safe for older adults to enjoy!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem