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[For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October
In October, the heat eases and there are more days when the sunlight feels gentle.
There are also plenty of activities like autumn sports festivals and Sports Day, as well as seasonal events such as the Harvest Moon and Halloween.
October is full of fun.
Why not plan recreational events that let older adults enjoy the atmosphere of October?
Here are some event ideas, full of October flair, that seniors can enjoy.
Let’s bring seasonal joy to seniors, who may spend similar days, through events that highlight the time of year!
[For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October (1–10)
Halloween party
Halloween has become firmly established as an event in Japan.
As autumn approaches, city streets quickly transform with Halloween-themed displays.
Since Halloween falls on October 31, why not host a Halloween party in October that everyone can enjoy? Playing Halloween-themed games together or having staff put on a play or sing songs would surely liven things up.
Dressing up in costumes as a group also sounds like fun.
Even if full costumes aren’t possible, just adding a simple cape, hat, or small accessories can instantly create a Halloween atmosphere.
Sports day activity
With autumn being the season for sports, many facilities may be planning to hold sports days.
Even if you don’t go as far as a full sports day, how about incorporating common athletic-meet-style games as recreational activities to get people moving? For example, a baton relay where each team lines up in a single file, passes the baton backward down the line, and once it reaches the last person, passes it forward using the opposite hand; or tamaire, where participants sit in a circle with a box in the center and toss balls into it.
Let’s capture the spirit of a sports day with these lively activities and get everyone excited!
Stroll activity
When October comes, the heat eases and it becomes much more comfortable, doesn’t it? With October’s refreshing, pleasant weather, how about enjoying a walk as a recreational activity? Even on familiar routes, walking on a nice day feels good and can be fun.
For those who find walking difficult, going out in a wheelchair to get some fresh air can be a great way to refresh.
A stroll is also helpful for a change of pace, so it’s recommended for those who feel irritable.
Breathe in the fresh air outside and take a deep, full breath.
Sweet potato snack activity
Autumn is the season when sweet potatoes are especially delicious—and did you know October 13 is Sweet Potato Day? Let’s enjoy a snack activity using sweet potatoes, which are in season and come in many varieties.
One of the great things about sweet potatoes is that you can enjoy them in many treats like pudding, oyaki, and sweet potato yokan.
Imo-mochi is simple and easy to eat, making it perfect for a snack activity.
Mash steamed sweet potatoes and have everyone roll them into balls—it’s a fun task to do together.
If you use an electric griddle, you can cook a lot at once and enjoy grilling them with everyone.
karaoke
Did you know that October 17 is “Karaoke Day”? With that in mind, how about enjoying a karaoke contest as an October event? Everyone can relax their mind and heart with favorite songs and memorable tunes, and you can also liven things up by sharing stories connected to those songs.
One of the great things about a karaoke contest is that the power of music lifts your spirits and helps stimulate the brain and heart.
Even those who aren’t confident singers can enjoy listening, and you can include songs that everyone can sing together.
Towel ball toss
Since it’s the season for sports in autumn, how about playing a beanbag toss with a sports day theme? Preparing real beanbags can be a hassle, but there are fun ways to enjoy it with things you have at home.
If you use towels as beanbags, they’ll fly in all sorts of ways—which actually makes the game more fun.
Try squeezing them tightly into a ball before throwing, or tying them and tossing—get creative and enjoy! Another benefit of towel beanbags is that it won’t hurt even if you get hit.
You can also try placing the basket in different positions or competing for points—there are plenty of ways to have fun.
Halloween Curling
Playing Halloween-themed games is also a great recommendation for October.
How about livening things up with Halloween curling, a tabletop game you can enjoy casually? The popularity of curling surged during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and captivated people all over Japan.
Put a ball-shaped item—like crumpled paper—inside a paper cup to imitate a curling stone, slide it across the table, and compete for points.
Add to the Halloween vibe by decorating the table and drawing pumpkins and other designs on the paper cups!