[For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes

Treasure Fishing

Okayama City Day Service Summer Festival Final Chapter Day 1

Let’s host a summer festival that gets participants’ hearts racing with excitement! Here’s an idea for a Treasure Fishing game.

When you think of a summer festival, many people imagine food stalls, right? This time, let’s try a treasure fishing challenge where you use a hook attached to a string to aim for and lift the ring attached to a prize.

The treasures can include snacks, drinks, tumblers, and small goods.

It’s fine to put them in transparent bags so the contents are visible, but setting them up in wrapping paper or paper bags so the contents are hidden could be fun too.

Be sure to give it a try!

Fox Dance

Let’s dance the “Fox Dance” in the caregiving setting! [Rehabilitation Day Salon ‘Umi’] Day service (daycare) in Yokosuka City

Let me introduce the Fox Dance that you can enjoy together with older adults.

It’s recommended because you can move your body while sitting in a chair.

After making a fox shape with your hands, use your arms and hands to dance.

The song has a quick tempo, but move within a comfortable range.

Once you get used to the moves, it could be fun to add some marching steps from the second round.

When it’s time to turn your neck, be careful to avoid falls.

The Fox Dance might be a great opportunity to spark new communication!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mayumi

Report a problem

Number Exercise

Senior activity! Number exercises #dayservice #caregiving #recreation

Here’s a fun number exercise where you get to learn movements, too.

For 1, touch your head with both hands.

For 2, cross your hands in front of your chest.

For 3, clap your hands and move your body.

The moves and rules are simple, but since you have to think, you might get a little confused at first.

Until you get used to it, say the numbers clearly and keep a slow rhythm.

Once it becomes familiar, try adding combinations where you call out two numbers, or speed up the rhythm for a challenge.

Let’s make it something you can enjoy while you practice.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mayumi

Report a problem

Slow aerobics to the tune of “Alps Ichiman-jaku”

Let's try slow aerobics! ~Alps Ichiman-jaku, chair version~

As people age, many find it bothersome to move their bodies.

Let’s get moving with slow aerobics that can be done while seated in a chair.

As the name suggests, slow aerobics involves gently moving your body to music.

It’s said to help raise heart rate and encourage breathing even for older adults who don’t have many opportunities to exercise.

It’s recommended to do rhythmic exercises to familiar songs—like “Alps Ichiman-jaku”—that many seniors know well.

Moving to music can also help bring out a sense of fun in older adults.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

A game where you take balloons out of a basket

#day-service-recreation #home-visit-care #day-service #ichikawa-city #fun-workplace #want-to-connect-with-caregivers #nursing-care #gyotoku-care #care-manager #gyotoku #ainet #challenger #summer-festival

Let’s work together as a team! Here’s a game idea where you take balloons out of a basket.

Summer often brings to mind uchiwa fans, right? This time, let’s try a unique game that uses uchiwa to lift balloons out of a basket.

You’ll need a stand or table, a deep basket, balloons, and one uchiwa per participant.

Place the basket filled with balloons on the table, and have participants sit around it.

When the signal is given, everyone chants together, “Wasshoi, wasshoi,” while fanning with their uchiwa to get the balloons out of the basket.

It could be even more fun to split into two teams and compete against each other!

Rhythmic gymnastics at Blue Light Yokohama

Seated singing exercise: “Showa Kayō Blue Light Yokohama” – rhythm exercises for seniors and older adults #seniors #exercise

Released in 1968, “Blue Light Yokohama” is one of the signature songs of the Showa era.

Many older adults have likely sung it at karaoke or heard it on TV or the radio.

Let’s try some rhythmic exercises with this familiar tune.

Since the song portrays a couple in love, it could be fun to incorporate movements that match the lyrics.

Older adults might feel nostalgic, recalling the time when this song was popular as they exercise.

You could even sing along while doing the exercises.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Song Exercise: Festival Mambo

I tried making an exercise routine for Hibari Misora’s “Omatsuri Mambo”!

The key is dancing with a uchiwa fan! Here are some ideas for a sing-along exercise to “Omatsuri Mambo.” In summer, many of us use uchiwa fans to beat the heat, right? This time, let’s move our bodies and exercise to Hibari Misora’s “Omatsuri Mambo.” The video shows choreography you can copy either standing or sitting, so give it a try.

Using a uchiwa fan makes the movements look more striking!