[For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes
In this article, we introduce lively recreational activities for seniors to enjoy at day service centers and other care facilities!
Facilities offer many different types of activities every day.
We’ve gathered a wide variety—from ones that are great for lively group fun to those enjoyable for individuals or small groups—so please use this as a reference when you’re wondering, “What should we do today?”
Many activities can be enjoyed while seated, so everyone can participate and have fun together.
It can also be interesting to change the rules or add your own twists depending on the facility!
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- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- For Seniors: Fun Entertainment That Excites at Nursing Homes
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- [Easy to Start!] Simple Recreational Activities to Enjoy in Nursing Homes
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[For Seniors] Fun and Lively Recreational Activities at Nursing Homes (211–220)
Preventing dementia with rock-paper-scissors uchiwa (fan)
This is a large uchiwa fan illustrated with the hand shapes used in rock-paper-scissors—rock, scissors, and paper.
The person standing at the front uses the fan to show a hand, and everyone else thinks of the corresponding hand to play.
After seeing the hand that’s shown, participants decide and then show their own hands.
Have them consider not only winning responses but also losing ones.
On the back of the fan, numbers are written; by inserting a step where they determine which hand each number represents, the activity further trains their reasoning skills.
Strikeout
Strikeout is a game where you throw a ball at targets labeled with numbers.
In addition to being expected to help with arm exercise, strikeout is also said to strengthen the core.
By training your core, your body’s balance becomes more stable, which can help prevent falls.
It’s a game where you knock down numbered targets, so you can have fun while getting a workout.
Since it’s a lively game that many people can enjoy together, it would be great to include it in an April cherry-blossom viewing recreation.
How about making the targets not with numbers, but with illustrations or photos related to cherry-blossom viewing?
Enjoy Sports! Pictogram Cards
These are cards that use pictograms, familiar from labels of Olympic events.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell which event it is from the pictogram alone.
Let’s have players infer the event by looking at the pictogram’s silhouette.
On the back of each pictogram, include the event name and a clear illustration so players can check the correct answer.
You could also arrange the pictograms in the order of a program listing the event names, among other rules—there are many ways to enjoy these cards.
[For Seniors] Fun and Lively Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes (221–230)
Soran-bushi exercise
Many older adults may be familiar with the Soran Bushi, don’t you think? I’ve heard it’s sometimes performed at school sports days.
Just hearing the rhythm and calls of Soran Bushi can make you feel energized.
Let’s try some exercises to the spirited rhythm of Soran Bushi.
Move your body by extending your hands forward or raising them overhead like a banzai cheer.
It can be done while seated, so many older adults should be able to take part.
If it’s a song they know, older adults will likely enjoy doing the exercises comfortably.
Passing a ball using towels
Let’s do a lively recreation activity using towels and a ball.
First, have the older adults sit facing each other, each holding a towel with a ball placed on top.
Since the ball rolls easily, adjusting balance is important.
Coordinate your movements with your partner and smoothly pass the ball onto the towel of the person next to you.
The suspense will keep everyone on edge—in the best way—so it’s sure to be a hit.
Because it’s a cooperative game where everyone works together to keep the ball moving, it will also help deepen relationships among the older participants.
Bamboo Shoot Digging Game
Bamboo shoots are one of the tastes of spring.
Some older adults may even have gone out to dig for them.
Here’s a bamboo shoot digging game that’s perfect for spring.
All you need are two things: newspaper and paper cups! Roll up the newspaper to make a stick, then attach a paper cup to one end.
Place more paper cups on the table to represent bamboo shoots, and you’re ready to go.
Drawing pictures or adding illustrations to the cups will make it feel even more authentic.
If you cover the “bamboo shoots” with the stick’s cup and lift, they come up surprisingly easily.
Set rules like “the first to collect five wins” to make it exciting.
It’s also a fun way to exercise the arms, elbows, and shoulders, so it’s recommended for senior facilities as well.
Tower game
Here’s an idea for a tower game that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Stack paper cups to build a tower, and once it’s complete, place a ball on top.
You can challenge yourself to see how fast you can do it, or compete against another person for extra fun.
In this kind of tower game, it’s common for the tower to collapse if you rush.
Try to proceed with a bit of tension, wondering, “Will I knock it down?” That way, when you manage to do it quickly, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.
