Because I want to support 'living life your own way.' The hospital director's strategy of sneaking a new sport into the day care introduction | Event Preparation Part 3
10 days until the local event.
This year, our medical corporation will also have a booth to introduce our newly renovated day care to the local community.
As a hospital director, while facing patients, their families, and staff every day, what I want to cherish is—
“Being able to live life your own way, no matter how old you are.”
To achieve that, I want medical care and rehabilitation to be something that can be felt in a place that is “closer to daily life.”
This event exhibition started from that small wish of mine.
“I want to get closer to the community.”
“I want people to feel free to know what day care is like.”
This is a step toward giving shape to those thoughts.
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■ 3 challenges chosen to help people learn about day care
At the booth, we are preparing three mini-challenges so that visitors can easily participate.
① Grip strength measurement
② Chair stand-up/sit-down
③ Skatball challenge
These three have something in common.
That is—
Regardless of physical strength or age, anyone can enjoy them right there on the spot.
In particular, what I would like to introduce this time is ③ Skatball.
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■ What kind of game is Skatball?
Skatball is a new sport where you hit a ball with a stick and compete by putting it into scoring holes.
The holes have an exquisite curve, so it looks like it will go in where you aimed, but it doesn't. That “so close!” feeling naturally brings out laughter.
Children, adults, and the elderly.
Even those watching naturally start to smile—
It is a game that creates that kind of atmosphere.
In fact, it has been very popular in our day services so far and was a staple of exciting recreation.
Just like how rock-paper-scissors is simple but intense,
“Simple but profound”
—that is the charm of Skatball.
■ The effects of Skatball as rehabilitation
Even from a doctor's perspective, this game has many small but significant benefits.
● Physical effects
• Hitting with a stick → Improvement of standing/sitting balance
• Hitting at a targeted location → Improved coordination
• Swinging arms/twisting the body → Full-body exercise
● Cognitive effects
• Aiming for scoring holes → Training for spatial awareness
• Scoring calculation → Brain activation
• Playing with everyone → Conversations are born, a trigger for social participation
It leads to nurturing the
“power to continue a life that is your own”
which we value in day care, while having fun.
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■ Surprising benefits for children as well
Actually, Skatball is also considered good for children's development.
● Learning force control
At first, it might be too strong or too weak.
But after hitting it several times, you naturally learn how to adjust your strength.
● Ability to observe and judge
Looking at where the scores are gathered and thinking about where to aim.
This fosters the ability to perceive, devise, and act.
● Social skills also grow
Cheering for friends
Celebrating success
Encouraging failure
—all of these are important behaviors that connect to daily life.
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■ “How to deliver to the community” thought of together with the staff
In preparing for this event, the staff came up with ideas one after another.
Among them, I also learned about many new sports,
and the time spent thinking, “What kind of effect does this game have on the body?” was very enjoyable.
That even simple games actually have deep effects.
And that “fun” has the power to make people positive.
These were valuable discoveries that are hard to feel only inside the hospital.
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■ Finally—
Skatball is a game that anyone can enjoy immediately and find themselves smiling.
If there is anyone who can come on the day of the event,
why not try a “Skat” challenge at our booth?
Thursday, November 29, 10:00–15:00
Hiroshima Prefectural Hiroshima Industrial Exhibition Hall East Building
“The 15th Minami Ward Safe and Secure Town Development Festival”
Aiming for medical care that can support the
“individuality”
of everyone living in the community—
I look forward to seeing you.
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🩺 Profile (About the author)
I am the director of Hiroshima Hiramatsu Hospital in Minami Ward, Hiroshima.
As an anesthesiologist, internist, and anti-aging specialist,
I share information about mental and physical health from the perspective of “connecting medical care and daily life.”
As someone who operates a hospital and nursing facility,
I value delivering small daily realizations, ingenuity in rehabilitation settings,
connections with the community, and anti-aging knowledge
in gentle words.
I am also practicing a lifestyle of “creating health while having fun,”
such as through dance, art, and living with cats.