[Nursing Home] Recommended for Sports Day! Lively Recreational Activities
The sports day is the big annual event at the nursing home, isn’t it?
Many residents look forward to it.
This time, we’re introducing recreational activities that adapt classic sports day ideas for older adults.
They’re recommended because they help stimulate both the body and the brain.
With safety in mind, many of the activities can be done while seated, so everyone can take part with confidence.
From exciting team competitions to activities that build a sense of unity among residents and staff, we hope you’ll host a fun sports day that brings everyone together.
- [For Seniors] A Fun Sports Day! Recreational Activities You Can Do Safely
- [Elderly Care Facilities] Let’s Have Fun Together! Exciting Sports Day Events
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- Recommended Events for a Sports Day at Day Service Centers for the Elderly
- A funny athletes’ oath to liven up the start of the sports day
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [Get Fired Up!] Classic Sports Day Events: Ideas for Popular Races and Games
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
[Nursing Home] Recommended for Sports Day! Exciting Recreational Activities (121–130)
footrace
Footraces are a staple event at sports days, but for many seniors, standing up and running can be difficult.
In that case, prepare a long towel—or tie towels together to make one—and a plastic bottle.
Place the towel on the floor in front of the seated senior, and set the plastic bottle on the far end of the towel.
At the signal “Ready, go!”, the senior uses the strength of their legs to reel in the towel, pulling the distant plastic bottle toward them.
The person who pulls the bottle in the fastest and manages to touch it wins! You can do this while seated and without using a lot of strength, so give it a try.
Tightrope Walking Race
A tightrope-walking relay where you slide a tube with a hole along a rope.
Because it’s an event that requires everyone’s combined effort, it’s perfect for sports days that build a sense of unity among seniors.
First, arrange chairs in a row so players face their counterparts.
Next, have everyone on the team hold the rope.
At the start signal, the first player begins moving the tube along.
The game ends when all the tubes have been carried to the finish.
Since it actively engages the upper body, it also helps address lack of exercise.
Give it a try to boost residents’ teamwork.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced event ideas that not only stimulate the brain and reduce lack of exercise, but also deepen team bonds.
Because they can be held to suit different situations—such as individual or group competitions—it’s recommended to create a program that leverages each older adult’s strengths.
They also serve as a great opportunity for residents of the same care home to communicate with one another.
The sense of accomplishment that comes from completing events together is something unique to sports.
Why not host a sports day that everyone—residents and staff alike—can enjoy and get excited about?